User aliases in a communication system

• US 8,725,806 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2010
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Gallant, John Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): WON, MICHAEL YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US12/700,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20100138520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/205, 709/227, 709/230, 709/245, 709/204, 711/202
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1446 inter-operator billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/37 E-mail addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/385 Uniform resource identifier for session initiation protocol [SIP URI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/125 by balancing the load, e.g. traffic engineering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• 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 61/4523 using lightweight directory access protocol [LDAP]
• 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 61/4547 for personal communications, i.e. using a personal identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0421 Anonymous communication, i.e. the party's identifiers are hidden from the other party or parties, e.g. using an anonymizer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 : Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1066 : Session management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 : Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 : Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 : Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 : Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 : specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• 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 15/43 : Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/44 : Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 : for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/52 : for operator independent billing system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 : using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 : based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 : Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8292 : Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 : composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0104 : Augmented, consolidated or itemised billing statement, e.g. additional billing information, bill presentation, layout, format, e-mail, fax, printout, itemised bill per service or per account, cumulative billing, consolidated billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 : Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 : On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 : Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 : Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• 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 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 : Call detail recording
• 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 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 : Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 : Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0075 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A technique is disclosed in the context of a communications system whereby parties accessible through the system may be referenced by multiple alternative symbolic names. User profile information for a given party may be maintained in the system to control features and routing behavior in response to session request involving the party. By virtue of a mapping capability, one or more symbolic names may be associated with the same user profile information. A session request involving any of the alternative names for a party will evoke the same user profile.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a memory that associates a plurality of identifiers with a single index; and

processing logic to;

receive a first identifier of the plurality of identifiers,

map the first identifier to the single index,

receive a second identifier of the plurality of identifiers,

where the second identifier is associated with a same type of communication as the first identifier,

map the second identifier to the single index, and

use the single index to retrieve a profile for a party with whom communications, identifying the first identifier or the second identifier, are to be established, the profile being used to establish the communications with the party.

2. The system of claim 1 where the processing logic is further to:

receive a third identifier of the plurality of identifiers,

map the third identifier to the single index, and

use the single index to retrieve the profile for the party, further based on the third identifier.

3. The system of claim 2 where the first identifier includes a telephone number, and

where the third identifier includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

4. The system of claim 2 where the first identifier and the third identifier are of different formats.

5. The system of claim 2 where the first identifier and the third identifier are of a same format, and

where the first identifier and the third identifier have different values.

6. The system of claim 2 where the profile includes different types of communication handling procedures.

7. The system of claim 2 where the first identifier is associated with a first type of communication handling procedure and the third identifier is associated with a second type of communication handling procedure,

where the second type of communication handling procedure is different than the first type of communication handling procedure.

8. The system of claim 1 where the processing logic is further to:

enable one or more first communications associated with the first identifier during a period of time, and

disable one or more first communications associated with the first identifier after the period of time.

9. The system of claim 1, where a format of the first identifier and a format of the second identifier includes an email address format.

10. The system of claim 1, where the processing logic is further to:

enable one or more first communications specifying the second identifier, with the party during a particular period of time, and

disable, after the particular period of time, one or more second communications, specifying the second identifier, with the party,

where one or more third communications with the party, specifying the first identifier, continue to be enabled after the particular period of time.

11. A method for establishing communications with a party, the method comprising:

receiving a first identifier for the party from a first calling party;

mapping the first identifier to an index;

using the index to retrieve a profile for the party;

establishing communications, using a first type of communication handling procedure, between the first calling party and the party based on the profile;

receiving a second identifier for the party from a second calling party, the second identifier having a value different than a value of the first identifier,

where the first identifier and the second identifier are of a same type;

mapping the second identifier to the index;

using the index to retrieve the profile for the party; and

establishing communications, using a second type of communication handling procedure, between the second calling party and the party based on the profile,

the second type of communication handling procedure being different than the first type of communication handling procedure.

12. The method of claim 11 where the profile includes different types of communication handling procedures.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

specifying a period of time for enabling first communications, specifying the first identifier, with the party; and

disabling one or more of the first communications, specifying the first identifier, between the party and another party, after the period of time.

14. The method of claim 11, where a format of the first identifier and the second identifier includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

15. The method of claim 11, where a format of the first identifier and the second identifier includes an e-mail address.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a third identifier for a second party from a third calling party;

mapping the third identifier to a second index, the third identifier being of a second, different type; and

establishing communications between the third calling party and the second party based on the third identifier.

17. A device comprising:

means for mapping a first identification information to an index identifying user profile information corresponding to a party;

means for accessing the user profile information, using the index;

means for specifying a period of time for enabling the first identification information to be used for communication sessions, specifying the first identification information, with the party;

means for enabling first communication sessions, of the communication sessions, specifying the first identification information, during the period of time;

means for disabling second communications sessions, of the communication sessions, specifying the first identification information, after an expiration of the period of time; and

means for continuing to enable, after the expiration of the period of time, communication sessions with the party, specifying second identification information mapped to the index,

where the second identification information is different than the first identification information.

18. The device of claim 17, where the first identification information is of a first type and at least one of the one or more second identification information is of a second type different than the first type.

19. The device of claim 17, where the first identification information is associated with a first type of communication handling procedure, and the second identification information is associated with a second type of communication handling procedure,

where the second type of communication handling procedure is different than the first type of communication handling procedure.

20. The device of claim 17, where the first identification information includes one of:

an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a telephone number, or an e-mail address, and where the second identification information includes a different one of the Internet Protocol (IP) address, the telephone number, or the e-mail address.