317 results about "Directory number" patented technology

An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A centralized data store, maintained by a service provider, stores one or more user identifiers and an associated directory number. The centralized data store also stores routing information including one or more communication paths corresponding to the user identifier, wherein the routing information includes a data path or a circuit-switched path for establishing a call to the user. In response to a request for establishing the call to the directory number, the data store retrieves the routing information for use to establish the call.

A telecommunications system wherein the dialing of a directory number which has been ported triggers an intelligent network signal which is directed to the Internet. The signal is transmitted through the Internet to a database in the Internet. The database returns call set up directions which are used by the originating switching system to establish a voice link from the calling station to the station having the ported number. The intelligent network signal may be transmitted from the originating switching system to a signal transfer point (STP) and to the Internet. Within the Internet the signal is directed to an Internet database where a real number for the ported number is obtained. This is transmitted back to the signal switching point, which then uses the real number to complete the connection. In another embodiment, where a number has been ported to a station that is connected only to the Internet, the Internet database may provide a domain name address. This address is then used to establish a link through the Internet between the calling and called station. In this instance the Internet handles both the signaling and the voice connections.

The present invention provides for an activity log which may include user proactive billing management for use in a broadband communications system that guarantees voice, data and video communication reliability and security to users for an integrated telephone, television and data network. The activity log and user proactive billing management may log incoming calls directory numbers (DNs) and outgoing call DNs in a database that may be provided at a central system location, such as the IP Central Station or at the system subscriber's customer premises equipment. The activity log may also log incoming and outgoing email interactive sessions (e.g., instant message (IM) email) and log multimedia video and audio calls. According to a variation of the invention, the user may access the activity log(s) and identify any communication the cost of which should be billed to a different party. The activity log may also be sorted based on user preferences and set to direct calls to low cost alternatives.

A method and apparatus for providing multiple telephone lines using a single directory number. A method and apparatus for associating multiple directory numbers with multiple telephone lines. A broadband residential gateway (BRG) is a user interface to a broadband communication system providing packetized telephone service and other media services. The BRG has multiple ports, and each port is connected to one or more telephones. The multiple ports may be mapped to a single directory number, or the multiple ports may be mapped to multiple directory numbers. The BRG can provide greeting and message features. A greeting may instruct a caller to select a port which is associated with a party the caller is attempting to reach. Also, a message, played after the greeting, may further instruct the caller.

A system for providing a wide range of telecommunications initiated data fulfillment services in which a multi-function code, such as “*#” (star, pound), input into an originating telecommunications device, such as a conventional land-line or wireless telephone, triggers the treatment of the input sequence as a multi-function code service request rather than a dialed directory number. The multi-function code is followed by an input data string to complete the multi-function code service request, which the user typically enters into the telecommunications device just like a conventional telephone call, except that the input string begins with the multi-function code. The telecommunications system recognizes the multi-function code as a trigger, and in response takes one or more actions, such as automatically terminating the call to an announcement and routing a data message to a data fulfillment center, which responds to the message by implementing a response action indicated by the multi-function code service request. For example, the data fulfillment center may respond by transmitting a message over a wireless data network or the Internet to implement a service, such as activation of a vending machine, remote control of device, delivery of a message over the Internet or wireless data network, initiation of an interactive Internet session with the originating device, or a wide range of other services. In addition, a charge for this service may be automatically charged to an account associated with the originating telecommunications device, which may be billed separately or incorporated on the user's conventional monthly telecommunications invoice.

A method for providing a local cordless-type service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless-type services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular / DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment. Associated apparatus comprises an IBS for automatically changing radio frequency channels as the subscriber roams within a subscribed-to neighborhood zone, roams to another subscribed-to zone or roams outside a subscribed-to zone. Subscribers may choose to use their mobile identification number, their current directory telephone number for wired public switched telephone service or obtain a new directory number. Subscribers can actuate their service over-the-air automatically without service personnel assistance from their home neighborhood zone.

An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A request for establishing a voice call is received from a source endpoint behind a first network address translator of a first domain, wherein the request specifies a directory number of a destination endpoint within a second domain. A network address is determined for communicating with the destination endpoint based on the directory number. Additionally, existence of a second network address translator within the second domain is determined. If the network address can be determined, a media path is established between the source endpoint and the destination endpoint based on the network address to support the voice call.

Systems and methods for verifying a financial transaction based on an account number, a mobile directory number associated with the financial transaction, a mobile directory number associated with the account number, an email address associated with the account number, internet protocol address data associated with the financial transaction, and internet protocol address data associated with accesses of the email address.

A method of routing an emergency call received at a network element. The method comprises determining a directory number associated with a communication device having originated the emergency call, consulting a local database to obtain routing information associated with the directory number, and directing the call and the routing information over a path dedicated to emergency calls. Also, a network element which comprises the database as well as a control entity, the control entity being operative for receiving an incoming call originated by one of the communication devices, determining the directory number associated with the communication device having originated the call, determining whether the call is an emergency call and, responsive to the call being an emergency call, accessing the database to obtain the routing information related to the directory number and directing the call as well as the routing information over a trunk group dedicated to emergency calls.

A mobile station has multiple communication modules for multiple wireless communication modes. In a first wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless wide area network and is identified by a first, mobile directory number. In a second wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless local area network and is still identified by the first, mobile directory number. In a third wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with the wireless local area network but is identified by a second, local directory number.

A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward.sub.-- call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.

An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A signaling message is received for establishing a voice call from a first endpoint associated with a first domain to a second endpoint associated with a second domain. The first endpoint queries a STUN (Simple Traversal of UDP (User Datagram Protocol)) server to determine information relating to a firewall and network address translator that the first endpoint is behind, and to log into a TURN (Traversal Using Relay NAT (Network Address Translation)) server configured to establish a media path between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. A first proxy server serving the first endpoint communicates with an ENUM (Electronic Number) server to convert a directory number corresponding to the second endpoint to a network address. The first proxy server communicates with a second proxy server serving the second endpoint to establish the voice call. The STUN server, the TURN server and the ENUM server are maintained by service provider. The first endpoint is authenticated to permit exchange of a media stream over the media path. The media stream is relayed, if the first endpoint is successfully authenticated.

An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A request is received and specifies a directory number for establishing a communication session from a first endpoint to a second endpoint. The first endpoint is behind a first network address translator of a first domain, and the second endpoint is within a second domain. A service provider network is accessed to determine a network address for communicating with the second endpoint based on the directory number, to determine existence of a second network address translator within the second domain, and to establish, if the network address can be determined, a media path between the first endpoint and the second endpoint based on the network address to support the communication session. An encrypted session is established with a proxy server according to a cryptographic protocol to support the media path. The proxy server resides within the second domain.

An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A signaling message is received for establishing a voice call from a first endpoint associated with a first domain to a second endpoint associated with a second domain. The first endpoint queries a STUN (Simple Traversal of UDP (User Datagram Protocol)) server to determine information relating to a firewall and network address translator that the first endpoint is behind, and to log into a TURN (Traversal Using Relay NAT (Network Address Translation)) server configured to establish a media path between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. A first proxy server serving the first endpoint communicates with an ENUM (Electronic Number) server to convert a directory number corresponding to the second endpoint to a network address. The first proxy server communicates with a second proxy server serving the second endpoint to establish the voice call. The STUN server, the TURN server and the ENUM server are maintained by service provider. The first endpoint is authenticated to permit exchange of a media stream over the media path. The media stream is relayed, if the first endpoint is successfully authenticated.

A method is provided for routing mobile telephone short text messages between different mobile telephone messaging networks, including mobile telephone messaging networks operated by a single carrier (i.e., intra-carrier messaging) or by different carriers (i.e., inter-carrier messaging). The method includes receiving a short text message at a mobile telephone short message gateway operated by a first mobile telephone carrier, the short text message having a destination directory number (DN). The short message gateway determines that the destination directory number (DN) is associated with one of two or more mobile telephone networks. The two or more mobile telephone networks may be operated by the first mobile telephone carrier alone or by the first mobile telephone carrier and another carrier. The short text message is then routed to the appropriate mobile telephone network based upon its destination directory number (DN). In a particular implementation, the short text message is a Short Message Service (SMS) message, and the short message gateway is a Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) gateway. The routing of the SMS includes reformatting it to include a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) address of an SMPP gateway of the mobile telephone messaging network to which the SMS message is directed. The SMS message is then sent as an SMTP message over the Internet.

A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.

A method and system are provided for presenting a customized message to an incoming calling party and for allowing the calling party to save or forward the customized message. A called party desiring to leave a customized message for certain incoming calling parties submits a customized message to an intelligent network component of her telecommunications service provider along with telephone directory numbers for specified incoming callers who are to receive the customized message upon calling the called party. After the customized message is prepared, incoming callers whose telephone directory numbers have been associated with the customized message are presented with the customized message before being connected to the called party. After an incoming caller receives the customized message, the calling party may listen to the message again, save a copy of the message according to a variety of methods, and the calling party may be connected to the called party. If the incoming call is not from a telephone directory number associated with the customized message, the incoming call is processed according to normal call processing methods.

A wireless network provides service to each line of a multi-line mobile device and includes: a mobile switching center for processing incoming and outgoing calls associated with the multi-line mobile device and a subscriber database including an independent calling plan for each line of the multi-line mobile device. Each line is associated with a unique directory number and each independent calling plan corresponds to unique directory numbers. At least two of the independent calling plans include at least one of a text messaging flag and a wireless Web flag. At least one of the text messaging flag and the wireless Web flag are activated for at least two of the independent calling plans. Various methods are also provided for a wireless network to provide wireless service to each line of multiple lines associated with a multi-line mobile device.

A radio telecommunications network for providing group extension phone service to a plurality of subscribers utilizing standard wireline telephones is disclosed. The network comprises a gateway mobile switching center (G-MSC) connected to an external communication network, a home location register (HLR) which includes a database of directory number (DN) categories, a serving mobile switching center / visited location register (MSC / VLR) which includes a plurality of cellular trunks in a pool configuration, a base station connected to the serving MSC / VLR, and a multi-line terminal (MLT) for connecting the plurality of standard wireline telephones to the base station. The MLT includes a cellular side for establishing a radio link to the base station, an office side for establishing wireline connections to the plurality of standard wireline telephones, and an interface between the cellular side and the office side.

A phone number only messaging experience is provided in an Inter-Carrier Short Messaging System (IC-SMS) service. Subscriber to subscriber messages are routed between carrier's networks using an Inter-Carrier messaging module with appropriate MIN / carrier / carrier routing look-up capabilities. Short messages may be sent to a subscriber in another carrier's network addressed only with a phone number. If the recipient is outside of the sender's carrier network, the Inter-Carrier messaging module of the Inter-Carrier service provider (ICSP) determines the appropriate carrier for the recipient, appends the appropriate syntax to the short message to allow internet protocol (IP) or other standardized communication techniques between SMSCs of the two carriers, and routes the short message to the destination carrier. The recipient in the other carrier's network may reply back to the ICSP's sender using only the subscriber's directory number.

Web-based telephony applications have recently been developed whereby a user is able to access a web-site and click on links or buttons in order to establish a voice over internet protocol telephone call from for example, his or her PC phone, to another user at another telephone terminal (PC phone or other suitable type of telephone). By enabling a web-based telephony application to receive URIs containing time information it is possible to enable telephone calls (including conference calls) to be initiated automatically at specified times or for feature keys on a user's telephone terminal to be programmed such that when activated at a particular time, a specified telephone call is initiated. In addition, URIs comprising time information may be used to set up "follow-me" functionality whereby all calls to a particular user are directed to different pre-specified directory numbers depending on the time of day. In another example, URIs comprising time information are used to route calls to contact-center agents in order to reduce the burden on contact center routing applications. URIs comprising time information are also advantageously used to communicate information to other entities.

A method of supporting functionality for roamer port calls in a radio telecommunications network in which Number Portability (NP) is implemented, the network having a plurality of mobile switching centers (MSCs) and home location registers (HLRs). The network includes a roamer port MSC having a roamer port which is shared with at least one neighboring MSC. A number portability database (NPDB) associates a location routing number (LRN) with each distinct MSC / HLR pair in the network. When a roamer port call, which includes the mobile directory number (MDN) of the called mobile station, is received in the roamer port MSC, the roamer port MSC determines whether the MDN falls within a ported range. If so, a request is sent to the NPDB to retrieve a LRN for the called mobile station. From the LRN, a HLR associated with the mobile station is identified. The roamer port MSC then sends a location request to the identified HLR which returns a routing number for the called mobile station, or indicates that a call-diversion type service is active. If no call-diversion type service is active, the roamer port MSC determines whether the called mobile station is located in a neighboring MSC to which the roamer port MSC allows routing of calls. If so, the call is routed locally to the neighboring MSC.

Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database. Thereafter, in either or both embodiments, the blocking database is consulted upon receiving an incoming call and, if the call is from a directory number in the blocking database, the call is ended or routed to an announcement without ringing the called party phone.

Service subscriber inbound call control is effected from within a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a Call Service Node (CSN). On receipt of a call directed to the service subscriber, at least one messaging network message is sent to the service subscriber to request a call treatment option. Pending receipt of a reply from the subscriber, the call is routed by the CSN to a call parking facility in the PSTN. The call parking facility may be a voice mail box of the subscriber or an announcement facility. After a call treatment option is received, the call is released from the call parking facility the call treatment is effected. The service enables single number service for multiple service subscriber directory numbers, unified voice mail for multiple service subscriber telephone numbers, or segregated voice mail boxes for a single service subscriber number, as well as real-time, interactive inbound call screening.