Method and apparatus for accessing service resource items that are for use in a telecommunications system

• US 8,204,046 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2010
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast IP Holdings I LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Low, Colin, Seaborne, Andrew Franklin, Bouthors, Nicolas
• Primary Examiner(s): Chriss, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/852,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20100303065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2867 Physical combinations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/30 Types of network names
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/38 Telephone uniform resource identifier [URI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/301 Name conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1041 Televoting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• 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 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 : Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 : Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 : comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 : interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 : with call distribution or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 : Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0009 : where voice calls remain entirely in the telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 : Click to dial services
• 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: H04M 7/126 : Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 : Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 : Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 : Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• 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 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13504 : client/server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13526 : resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 : protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13528 : SCP architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13534 : Internet - WWW, HTML, browsers etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13546 : Intelligent Peripheral
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 : Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

Service resource items for use in call setup in a telephone system are held on servers that are connected to a computer network which is logically distinct from the telephone system infrastructure; this computer network may, for example, make use of the Internet. Each service item is locatable on the network at a corresponding URI and is associated with a particular telephone number. A mapping is provided between telephone numbers and the URIs of associated service resource items. When it is desired to access a service resource item associated with a particular telephone number, this mapping is used to retrieve the corresponding URI which is then used to access the desired service resource item.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to use the retrieved URI to access said target entity.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the target entity is an information entity, the apparatus being further configured to access the target entity to retrieve information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the target entity is a logging entity, the apparatus being further configured to access the target entity to log information.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the URI of the target entity comprises an access scheme and host address.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the number string identifying the target entity is of telephone-number form.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the URI of the target entity comprises an access scheme and host address.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the target entity is an information entity, the method further comprising using the URI to access the target entity to retrieve information.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the target entity is a logging entity, the method further comprising accessing the target entity to log information.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

22. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 21, wherein the said number string identifying the target entity is of telephone-number form.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 21, wherein the URI of the target entity comprises an access scheme and host address.

24. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 21, wherein the target entity is an information entity, the method further comprising using the URI to access the target entity to retrieve information.

25. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 21, wherein the target entity is a logging entity, the method further comprising using the URI to access the target entity to log information.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

31. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface;

a processor; and

a database storing a plurality of resource records that each provides a mapping from a domain name to a uniform resource identifier (URI) for locating a target entity associated with the domain name, at least a portion of each domain name being in the form of a number string that has been parsed into plural domain-name labels,

wherein the processor is configured to, in response to an input identifying one of the domain names, output an associated one of the URIs stored in the database to the network interface.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the database comprises the domain name system of the Internet.

33. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, by parsing the number string with a deterministic algorithm, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

34. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said applying the process comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

35. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said applying the process comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

36. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, by parsing each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

37. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity,

wherein the apparatus is further configured to send data to the target entity identified using the URI.

38. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity,

wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive the number string and data from a phone, and to send the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

39. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity,

wherein the apparatus is further configured to send a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

40. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity,

wherein the apparatus is further configured to set up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

41. An apparatus for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, said apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to;

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, and

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity,

wherein the apparatus is further configured to contact the target entity identified using the URI.

42. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing, using a deterministic algorithm, at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

43. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits; and

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

44. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

45. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises parsing each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

46. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending data to the target entity identified using the URI.

47. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving a number string and data from a phone;

forming, from the number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

48. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

49. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

setting up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

50. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

contacting the target entity identified using the URI.

51. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string with a deterministic algorithm; and

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

52. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits; and

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

53. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

54. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name; and

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

55. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity;

sending data to the target entity identified using the URI.

56. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving a number string and data from a phone;

forming, from the number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity;

sending the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

57. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity;

sending a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

58. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

setting up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

59. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

forming, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

contacting the target entity identified using the URI.

60. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

65. The method of claim 60, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

66. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, by parsing the number string with a deterministic algorithm; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

67. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said applying the process comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

68. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said applying the process comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

69. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name, by parsing each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity.

70. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity; and

sending data to the target entity identified using the URI.

71. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

receiving the number string and data from a phone;

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity; and

sending the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

72. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity; and

sending a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

73. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

applying, by at least one computing device, said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity; and

setting up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

74. A method for facilitating accessing a target entity identified at least in part by a number string, in which a domain name system (DNS) of a packet-switched network stores records each associated with a corresponding domain name and holding a URI of an entity associated with the domain name, each said domain name being related to a respective number string from which it can be derived by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, the method comprising:

apply said process to said number string identifying the target entity to form the related domain name;

supply the domain name to the DNS to retrieve the URI held in the corresponding record, the URI being that of the target entity; and

contacting the target entity identified using the URI.

75. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

81. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing, using a deterministic algorithm, at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

82. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

83. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

84. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises parsing each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

85. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending data to the target entity identified using the URI.

86. A method, comprising:

receiving a number string and data from a phone;

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

87. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

88. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

setting up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

89. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a domain name system of a packet-switched network and receiving back from the domain name system a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

contacting the target entity identified using the URI.

90. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein said forming comprises determining a label.

92. The method of claim 90, wherein said forming comprises determining an alphanumeric label.

93. The method of claim 90, wherein said forming comprises determining a numeric label.

94. The method of claim 90, wherein the number string used in said forming is associated with a dialed number.

95. The method of claim 90, further comprising using the number string to communicate across a switched telecommunication system.

96. The method of claim 90, further comprising using data associated with the number string to route calls in a switched telecommunication system.

97. The method of claim 90, further comprising using data associated with the number string to route messages in a switched telecommunication system.

98. The method of claim 90, further comprising using data associated with the number string to route data packets in a switched telecommunication system.

99. The method of claim 90, wherein the URI is a universal resource name (URN).

100. The method of claim 90, wherein the URI indicates a location of a phone page.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the phone page comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML) page.

102. The method of claim 100, wherein the phone page comprises a page of the World Wide Web of the Internet.

103. The method of claim 90, wherein the URI is an Internet-resolvable indicator of a location of a phone page.

104. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

using data associated with the number string to route data packets in a switched telecommunication system,

wherein the switched telecommunication system is logically distinct from a portion of a communication system originating data associated with the number string.

105. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity;

using data associated with the number string to route data packets in a switched telecommunication system;

provisioning at least one server with a plurality of addresses associated with the switched telecommunication system;

providing a mapping associated with the switched telecommunication system; and

establishing a channel through the switched telecommunications system utilizing the at least one server and the mapping.

106. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity;

provisioning at least one server with a plurality of addresses associated with a switched telecommunication system;

providing a mapping associated with the switched telecommunication system in cooperation with the number string

establishing a bearer channel through the switched telecommunications system utilizing the at least one server and the mapping.

107. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string with a deterministic algorithm; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

108. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises parsing the number string such that the domain name also comprises the plurality of digits; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

109. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein the number string comprises a plurality of digits, and wherein said parsing comprises reversing at least some of the digits to form the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

110. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name, wherein said parsing comprises each of a plurality of portions of the number string into a different one of a plurality of portions of the domain name; and

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity.

111. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending data to the target entity identified using the URI.

112. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

receiving a number string and data from a phone;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending the data to the target entity identified using the URI.

113. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

sending a message to the target entity identified using the URI.

114. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

setting up a voice call to the target entity identified using the URI.

115. A method, comprising:

forming, by at least one computing device, from a number string identifying a target entity, a domain name by a process including parsing at least a portion of the number string into at least a part of said domain name;

supplying, by the at least one computing device, the domain name to a database and receiving back from that database a resource record including a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the target entity; and

contacting the target entity identified using the URI.