IPT X11 mediation layer and process

• US 7,336,968 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walter, Edward, Diroo, Yolius
• Primary Examiner(s): Phu; Sanh D.
• Application Number:
  US11/125,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20060256780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 370/469, 370/401, 370/356, 370/329, 370/338, 370/352, 370/389, 370/400, 370/465, 455/67.11, 455/67.14, 455/452.2
• US Class Current: 370/469
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• 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

Abstract

The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for providing customer information, such as a physical address etc., to a call destination, such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link. A mediation layer maintains a table tracking information such as IP address, physical location of the customer, and MAC (Media Access Control) Address. When a call is placed, an IP address is sent to the mediation layer. The mediation layer selects appropriate caller information and routes the information to the network, which routes the information to the PSAP. The mediation layer maintains customer information through a Virtual Central Repository (VCR), and IP addresses through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server on an ongoing basis. The mediation layer can comprise multiple interconnected mediation layers in cooperation.

Claims

1. A method of providing customer information to a call destination over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link, comprising:

obtaining an IP address for a device originating a call;

maintaining at a mediation layer of the communication link a table that tracks customer information containing;

i) a physical address of a customer,

ii) a physical Media Access Control address of a Customer Premises Equipment, and,

iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment;

selecting from the table customer information related to the originating IP address; and

routing the selected customer information to the call destination over the IP communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the originating IP address further comprises receiving the originating IP address from a particular customer premises equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining customer information from a Virtual Central Repository (VCR).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the table further comprises using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in the IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers used in cooperation for completing the call to the call destination.

9. An apparatus for providing customer information to a call destination using Internet Protocol (IP), comprising:

an IP communication link configured to obtain an IP address for a device originating a call and to route customer information related to the originating IP address to the call destination; and

a mediation layer linked to the IP communication link configured to select the customer information related to the originating IP address from a table at the mediation layer, the table containing;

i) a physical address of the customer,

ii) a physical Media Access Control address of a Customer Premises Equipment, and

iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment,

wherein the table is configured to be updated using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in the IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the IP communication link is further configured to obtain the originating IP address by receiving the originating IP address from a particular customer premises equipment.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the selected customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers configured to cooperate in completing the call to the call destination.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server configured to provide IP address data of the Customer Premises Equipment to the mediation layer.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a Virtual Central Repository (VCR) configured to provide the selected customer information to the mediation layer.