User aliases in a communication system

• US 9,467,479 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Gallant, John Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): DAILEY, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US13/242,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/204, 709/225, 709/227, 709/238, 709/206
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, requests to establish communications with a device associated with a user,

a first request, of the received requests, including first identification information,

a second request, of the received requests, including second identification information that is different than the first identification information,

the first identification information and the second identification information identifying the user,

the first identification information and the second identification information being associated with a single index,

the first identification information including a first Internet Protocol (IP) address and the second identification information including a second IP address, and

the first identification information and the second identification information being associated with a same type of communication,

the communications including one or more calls from one or more other devices;

retrieving, by the processor and from a first data structure, the single index using the first identification information and the second identification information;

retrieving, by the processor and using the single index, a profile of the user from a second data structure that is different than the first data structure;

determining, by the processor and based on the retrieved profile, whether to establish the communications with the device associated with the user; and

establishing, by the processor, the communications with the device associated with the user based on determining whether to establish the communications with the device associated with the user,

establishing the communications including;

establishing the one or more calls between the device associated with the user and the one or more other devices.

2. The method of claim 1, where the profile identifies different types of communication handling procedures, and

where establishing the communications further includes:

establishing each of the communications based on a corresponding one of the different types of communication handling procedures.

3. The method of claim 2, where the first identification information is associated with a first one of the different types of communication handling procedures,

where establishing the communications further includes:

establishing a first one of the communications, that is associated with the first identification information, based on the first one of the different types of communication handling procedures.

4. The method of claim 3, where the second identification information is associated with a second one of the different types of communication handling procedures,

where establishing the communications further includes:

establishing a second one of the communications, that is associated with the second identification information, based on the second one of the different types of communication handling procedures.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information identifying a period of time for enabling communications identifying the first identification information;

enabling one or more first communications identifying the first identification information during the period of time; and

disabling one or more second communications identifying the first identification information after the period of time.

6. The method of claim 1, where a format of the first identification information and a format of the second identification information include:

an IP address format.

7. The method of claim 1, where a first one of the requests is received from another device associated with another user,

where the profile includes information indicating whether one or more communications associated with the other user are to be established,

where determining whether to establish the communications includes:

determining, based on the information indicating whether the one or more communications associated with the other user are to be established, whether to establish a first one of the communications with the user,

the first one of the communications being associated with the first one of the requests, and

where establishing the communications further includes establishing the first one of the communications based on determining whether to establish the first one of the communications.

8. A non-transitory computer readable device storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive information identifying a period of time for enabling communications that identify first identification information,

the first identification information identifying a user,

the first identification information including a telephone number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address;

one or more instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to enable, during the period of time, first communications that identify the first identification information,

the one or more instructions to enable the first communications including;

one or more instructions to cause one or more calls to be established between a device associated with the user and a device associated with another user;

one or more instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to disable second communications that identify the first identification information, after the period of time; and

one or more instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to enable communications, that identify second identification information, during the period of time and after the period of time,

the second identification information identifying the user, and

the second identification information being different than the first identification information.

9. The non-transitory computer readable device of claim 8, the instructions further comprising:

one or more instructions to establish the communications, that identify the second identification information, with the device associated with the user during the period of time and after the period of time;

one or more instructions to obtain, from a memory and based on the first identification information, third identification information that identifies the user;

one or more instructions to obtain a profile of the user based on the third identification information; and

one or more instructions to establish the first communications with the device associated with the user during the period of time,

where the first communications are enabled based on the profile of the user, and

where the second communications are disabled based on the profile of the user.

10. The non-transitory computer readable device of claim 8, where the first identification information is associated with a first type of communication, and

where the second identification information is associated with a second type of communication that is different than the first type of communication.

11. The non-transitory computer readable device of claim 8, where the first identification information is associated with a first profile,

the first communications being enabled based on the first profile, the instructions further comprising:

one or more instructions to associate the first identification information with a second profile that is different than the first profile; and

one or more instructions to enable, after the period of time, third communications that identify the first identification information based on the first identification information being associated with the second profile.

12. The non-transitory computer readable device of claim 8, where the first identification information and the second identification information are associated with third identification information,

the instructions further comprising:

one or more instructions to obtain a profile of the user based on the third identification information,

where the profile includes first information indicating that the first communications, that identify the first identification information, are to be enabled during the period of time and disabled after the period of time,

where the profile includes second information indicating that the communications, that identify the second identification information, are to be enabled during the period of time and after the period of time,

where, based on the first information included in the profile, the first communications are enabled during the period of time and the second communications are disabled after the period of time, and

where the communications, that identify the second identification information, are enabled, based on the second information included in the profile, during the period of time and after the period of time.

13. A device comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a processor to execute the instructions to;

receive requests to establish communications with a device associated with a user,

a first request, of the received requests, including first identification information,

a second request, of the received requests, including second identification information that is different than the first identification information,

the first identification information and the second identification information identifying the user, and

the first identification information and the second identification information being associated with a single index,

the first identification information including an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a telephone number,

the communications including one or more calls from one or more other devices associated with one or more other users,

retrieving, from a first data structure, the single index using the first identification information and the second identification information;

retrieve, from a second data structure and using the single index, a profile of the user,

determine whether to establish the communications with the device associated with the user based on the retrieved profile,

transmit information indicating that the requests are denied when the communications are not to be established with the device associated with the user, and

establish the communications with the device associated with the user when the communications are to be established with the device, when establishing the communications, the processor is to;

cause the one or more calls to be established between the device, associated with the user, and the one or more other devices associated with the one or more other users.

14. The device of claim 13, where the first identification information and the second identification information are associated with a same type of communication.

15. The device of claim 13, where a format of the second identification information include:

an IP address format.

16. The device of claim 13, where the processor is further to:

process one or more of the requests, that include the first identification information, based on a communication handling procedure that is identified in the profile.

17. The device of claim 16, where the profile is a first profile and the request is a first request,

where the processor is further to:

associate the first identification information with a second profile,

where the first identification information is not associated with the first profile after associating the first identification information with the second profile; and

process a second request to establish a communication with the user based on another communication handling procedure that is identified in the second profile, after associating the first identification information with the second profile,

where the second request includes the first identification information.

18. The device of claim 13, where a first one of the requests is received from another device associated with another user,

where the profile includes information indicating whether one or more communications associated with the other user are to be established, and

where, when determining whether to establish the communications, the processor is further to:

determine, based on the information indicating whether the one or more communications associated with the other user are to be established, whether to establish a first one of the communications with the device associated with the user,

where the first one of the communications is associated with the first one of the requests, and

where, when establishing the communications, the processor is further to;

establish the first one of the communications based on determining whether to establish the first one of the communications.

19. The device of claim 13, where the processor is further to:

receive information identifying a period of time for enabling communications identifying the first identification information;

disable one or more first communications identifying the first identification information after the period of time; and

enable one or more second communications identifying the second identification information during the period of time and after the period of time.

20. The device of claim 13, where, when establishing the communications, the processor is further to:

process a first one of the communications based on a first communication handling procedure; and

process a second one of the communications based on a second communication handling procedure that is different than the first communication handling procedure.