ES2217953A1 - Network addressing system and method using telephone numbers - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus to establish communication between at least two devices (124, 128) over a network (122), includes a processor (120a) which receives from a first device (124) a telephone number portion (50) identifying a second device (128). The processor (120a) converts the telephone number portion (50) into a multiple level domain name (96) which includes the converted telephone number portion. The processor (120a) optionally appends any required prefixes or suffixes to generate a complete multiple level domain name (110). Once the complete domain name is generated, communication is established with the second device (128).

Description

Network addressing method and apparatus using phone numbers

Cross reference with the related request

This request claims the benefit of the Provisional Application of the United States Serial No. 60 / 143,246 filed on July 9, 1999.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to Networking on Internets and Intranets. The invention find particular application in number conversion phone numbers in a multi-level domain name to allow devices to communicate on a network. Do not However, it should be appreciated that the present invention can find additional application in private networks or public networks and using private protocols or Internet protocols.

Background of the invention

Originally, only numbers were used as network addresses on the Internet. The numbers are called Internet Protocol numbers, or in short, a IP adress. These numbers had virtually no meaning to anyone and they were hard to remember.

\hbox{(IANA)}

creó un Sistema de Nombres de Dominio. Cada nombre de dominio utilizaría un nombre más compresible y significativo para apuntar a una dirección IP. Por ejemplo, "IBM.com" es un nombre de dominio que encamina al usuario a un número o dirección IP específico, tal como 198.81.209.2 (una dirección IP de IMB). Actualmente, el mundo entero de usuarios de Internet se encuentran ellos mismos utilizando este sistema de registro de nombre de dominio de Internet que es un componente esencial para conseguir una presencia en Internet.Next, the Internet Assigned Number Authority

 \ hbox {(IANA)} 

He created a Domain Name System. Each domain name would use a more compressible and meaningful name to point to an IP address. For example, "IBM.com" is a domain name that routes the user to a specific number or IP address, such as 198.81.209.2 (an IMB IP address). Currently, the entire world of Internet users find themselves using this Internet domain name registration system that is an essential component to achieve an Internet presence.

A domain name typically includes a name plus a "." (period) or separator, and a Top Level Domain (High Level Domain) (TLD), such as "com", "net", and "org."

Although the domain name system produces easier directions to remember for people, the system of Internet domain name registration currently suffers from various problems. For example, there is a limited supply of Internet domain names. Only one company can be owner or register any name given on the Internet such as Computers.com Other top-level domains can be employees, such as Computers.net and Computers.org, but you are options are considered inferior to Computers.com. One second Problem is the high cost of domain names on the Internet. The Name exclusivity has created a domain name market on the booming Internet that has many domain names that are they sell, it is said, for millions of dollars. In addition, the Current monopoly and / or limited number of name registrars domain has caused all domains to be, in general, more expensive

A second problem is that domain names on the Internet they can currently use up to 72 hours to be activated This creates a problem for those Internet users They need to establish their site quickly. Also once Registered, a domain name on the Internet is fixed. A change of even a letter of the original domain name is a new name and must be registered again. This need to register a domain name incurs an additional expense and runs the risk that the new name may not be available. Indeed, a hosting industry has emerged from domain name registrars or cyber-usurpers because they anticipate eventually someone will need, and pay for, the name They are registering. This "inflexibility" becomes a matter of greater importance with the convergence of networks Internet and telephone.

A planned solution for some of the problems indicated above is a system based on the sub-directory of Domain Names called "Forward Slash" method (forward slash). By For example, a company such as Realtor.com would add a name of Real Estate Agent at the end of the series of separate characters by a forward slash, that is, Realtor.com/AgentsNameHere. This would give the Agent a connection to a Economic website, since it is a part of the great Realtor.com company. There is theoretically no limit on the amount of forward slashes that could be added at the end of each character series. However, this method It also has drawbacks, such as:

TO.

Non-addressable IP - This means that an individual "site" does not have the option of having a unique and / or a shared IP address. The only option is an IP address shared with the owner of the primary domain name.

B.

Time Delay - If a "Site" drives a user to another site, the user has to wait to act.

C.

Longer addresses - When the "Forward Slash" method is used, the address is almost always longer, which creates problems:

one.

The address more long increases complexity for users because there are more characters to write, giving more space for mistakes.

two.

The address more Long is harder to communicate to others, such as an advertiser radio that says "Check out Realtor dot com forward Slash Agent's Name Here forward slash City "(Check Realtor point com forward bar agent name here forward bar city) .

3.

It's too long to remember when you are writing and the pencil and paper are not Always available immediately.

D.

Lack of singularity - Companies that use the Oblique Bar Forward method need to use names that are relevant to the specific sub-site, but unique so as not to duplicate the names of the sub-site, since each name can only be used once. This method is difficult in practice.

Commercial communications such as advertisements, literature, business cards, etc. they have to include both an internet address and a phone number due to the success of the Internet and the ubiquity of the telephone. Using both pieces of information not only creates more information than remember but also complicates the design of the piece Communication.

The foregoing has led to many companies use a phone number in your domain name. The use a phone number in a domain name of Internet is not new. The methods that use the following companies are severely limited to applications or companies very specific.

As people have begun to participate in Internet, many companies have slowly begun to integrate the Telephone numbers at an Internet address. Very few individuals and / or organizations have registered a phone number real bookmark as an Internet domain name.

Probably the most popular Internet domain name / phone number is "1-800-Flowers.com". This was a natural use for the company, since it is their company name, as well as their telephone number. This method once again has several of the disadvantages of Internet domain names, in general, as described above. Of interest is the fact that only an individual "sub-domain" is used, that is,
"1-800-flowers". Specifically, this method has a higher cost than that of the forward slash method and has the additional problem of a potential lack of availability. Additional problems with this method are described in a more complete manner below, since they belong to network providers. Other similar references are www.411.com , and www.1-800-555-1212.com , having both similar objections.

The present invention contemplates a method and Improved device for a network addressing system, which includes a phone number as a component of the address.

Summary of the Invention

According to an embodiment of the In the present invention, a method includes receiving a portion of a phone number that identifies a device with which it You want communication. The phone number portion is converted into a multi-level domain name that statically represents the device on the network. A component of the multi-level domain name is the portion of the number of telephone received. The communication with the device over the network.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the conversion stage includes adding separators of domain to the portion of the phone number received in places determinable in the phone number portions received

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the portion of the received telephone number includes a separator, and the conversion stage includes syntactic analysis of the portion of the telephone number received by the separator e insert a domain separator for this.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, additional domain levels are added to the portion of the converted phone number to complete the name of the multi-level domain

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for establishing communication between the At least two devices on a network include a processor that receives from the first device a portion of the number of phone that identifies a second device. The processor then convert the portion of the phone number into a name of Static multilevel domain sufficient to identify The second device on the network.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the apparatus additionally includes a table that match the multi-level static domain name with A static IP address.

An advantage of the present invention lies in the ability to have domain names on the Internet that are significant and at the same time cheaper than those used traditionally.

Another advantage of the present invention resides in the ability to send both an Internet address and a phone number compactly and economically in a communication.

The still additional advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after of reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention can take physical form in certain parts and provisions of parts, and at certain stages and stage arrangements. The drawings are only for the purpose to illustrate the preferred embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Figure 1 is a generic representation of a typical network addressing system or name structure Of domain.

Figure 2 is a telephone number of the United States as an example.

Figure 3 is the phone number of the figure 2 after conversion into a multiple domain name levels.

Figure 4 is a flow chart detailing a logical flow that adequately implements the present invention; Y

Figure 5 is a graphic illustration of the device connectivity over a network, as is provided by the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments preferred

As used here, a phone number or Internet numbering system is defined as a name of domain or set of domain names that activate the system network addressing through the use of phone numbers or Internet / Intranet networks.

A portion of the phone number is defined here. as at least a part of a phone number that can include the switching center, the area code, and / or the code from the country. Although phone numbers usually have geographical specificity that increases gradually, with the portion more generic preceding the more defined portions (i.e. the country code precedes the area code, which precedes the switching center, etc.), the particular order in which convert or present a portion of the phone number as a multi-level static domain name is indifferent to according to the present invention. That is, the phone number received can be arranged again in any sequence without significantly affect the scope of this invention, provided that everyone is willing or able to determine  in the same way.

As used here, the source terms, objective, and / or device are intended to refer to any variety of interconnected addressable devices through any of a variety of networks. For example, the suitable devices for the present invention include without limitation, computers, memory devices, devices output, phones, personal information managers, computer laptop, pocket computer, or computers based on the Clock, and the like. Interconnection networks include without limitation, Intranets, or Internet, cordless telephone networks and / or with cable line, either public or private, cable, infrared, optical, or electromagnetic networks and the like.

With reference now to Figure 1, it is illustrated in General domain name structure. This structure includes a Base Level Domain (BLD) 10. The level domain base 10, often referred to as a top-level domain or first level domain, not associated with your own IP address itself, but it is a logical grouping used to distinguish between countries (for example, .US, .CA, .UK, .HK, etc.), Powers (for example, .EDU), Military of the United States (for example, .MIL); United States Government (for example, .GOV), Companies (for example, .COM, .ORG); and ISP (for example. NET). These base level domains manage the queries for second level sub-domains 12. The second level sub-domain 12 is associated normally with an IP address when used in conjunction with a BLD 10. An example of a second level domain name is IBM as used in IBM.COM, or OSU as used in OSU.EDU. The second level domain 12 normally handles queries directed to the sub-domain of the third level 14. The third level sub-domain 14 is associated also normally with an IP address when used in conjunction both with both .2LD.BLD 12, 10. An example of a domain name A third level is SUPPORT as used in SUPPORT.IBM.COM. The third level sub-domain 1 manages normally queries directed to the sub-domain of the fourth level 16. The sub-domain of the room Level 16 is normally associated with an IP address when used in conjunction with .3LD.2LD.BLD 14, 12, 10. Some examples of A fourth level domain name is PC or AIX as used on PC SUPPORT.IBM. COM, or AIX. SUPPORT.IBM. COM. The fourth level sub-domain 16 manages normally queries directed to the next domain 18 and so successively. The level 18 domino represents any and all the highest level domains, where the N represents the integer intervals of higher level domains (i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ...). All domain names can contain words or phrases that consist of letters, numbers, and hyphen (a ... z, 0 ... 9, "-").

\hbox{10-18}

están separados por el "punto", el separador del dominio 30. Este separador 30 es utilizado para designar el control de gestión de los niveles de dominio más altos con respecto a su nivel siguiente de dominio inferior. Los nombres de dominio completos constan de dos partes: un segmento de nombre de dominio 34 y un segmento de nivel de base 28. Un segmento del nivel de base 38 contiene un .BLD 10, y contiene cualquier número de sub-dominios de nivel superior. Algunos ejemplos de segmentos de nivel de base38 son segmentos de nivel individual (por ejemplo, .COM, .NET) y segmentos de múltiples niveles (por ejemplo, IMB.COM; ABC.DEF.ORG;

\hbox{one.two.three.four.five.six.NET). Los segmentos}

del nombre de dominio son cualquier grupo de uno o más "nombres" discretos separados por un punto 30 que no contiene un .BLD 10. Algunos ejemplos de segmentos de nombres de dominio son segmentos de nivel individual (por ejemplo, ABC, IBM, telenúmero) y segmentos de múltiples niveles (por ejemplo ABC.DEF.
Support.IBM, one.two.three.four.five.six.etc.). Estos segmentos cuando están combinados forman un nombre de dominio completo. Un árbol de nombre de dominio 42 es cualquier número de los segmentos de nombre de dominio 34 anexados por un segmento de nivel de base 38.All levels of domain names

 \ hbox {10-18} 

they are separated by the "point", the domain separator 30. This separator 30 is used to designate the management control of the highest domain levels with respect to its next lower domain level. Full domain names consist of two parts: a domain name segment 34 and a base level segment 28. A base level segment 38 contains a .BLD 10, and contains any number of top-level sub-domains . Some examples of base level segments38 are individual level segments (for example, .COM, .NET) and multi-level segments (for example, IMB.COM; ABC.DEF.ORG;

 \ hbox {one.two.three.four.five.six.NET). The segments 

The domain name is any group of one or more discrete "names" separated by a period 30 that does not contain a .BLD 10. Some examples of domain name segments are individual level segments (for example, ABC, IBM, telenumber ) and multi-level segments (for example ABC.DEF.
Support.IBM, one.two.three.four.five.six.etc.). These segments when combined form a fully qualified domain name. A domain name tree 42 is any number of the domain name segments 34 appended by a base level segment 38.

With reference now to figure 2, a portion of the telephone number 50 is entered for translation to a single or multi level domain name segment levels 54 that allows the segment to be grafted into any existing domain name tree 42 at any point at that tree. The translation of the telephone number portion 50 it consists in reducing the number in discrete pieces 52, 54, 56, 58, based on natural separators 70, 72, 74 of that number (by example, hyphen, parenthesis, period, or similar). These dividers 70, 72, 74 are substituted with a domain separator 30 and the discrete pieces 52, 54, 56, 58 become domains and sub-domains

With reference now to figure 3, the multi-level domain name that results from the entry illustrated in figure 2. The portion of the telephone number 50 was analyzed to determine separators 70, 72, 74, and assuming Scan from left to right, the separators will be replaced  in the same way from left to right. Therefore the separator 70 of figure 2 becomes the separator of the domain 80 in Figure 3. In the same way, the separators 72, 74 of Figure 2 are replaced with domain separators 82, 84, in figure 3.

With continued reference to Figure 3, also illustrates annexation of additional domain levels over a portion of the converted or transferred telephone number 50 (figure two). In the illustrated example, to complete the domain name multi-level with respect to a particular web service, the additional subdomain "phone number" 90 are attached and the top level domain ".com" 92. Technicians in matter will appreciate now that domain levels can be appended anywhere in the domain name of multiple levels without separating from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, additional domains or subdomains for other country codes, area codes, telephone exchanges, etc.

With respect now to Figure 4, a exemplary process whereby the telephone number portion of the Figure 2 for example is converted to that of Figure 3. The user enters a query or domain name that includes a portion of the appropriate telephone number to identify a target or desired device through a network, as seen in step 100. An ambiguity can be introduced at this point when the processor determines where to place the separators of the domain 30. In the illustrated embodiment, ambiguity can be resolved, as seen in decision block 102, depending on whether or not the user enters separators in his query. If so, the processor then replaces the separators of the domain 30 by organic separators 70, 72, 74 introduced per user (manually or according to the protocol default) as seen in step 106 and illustrated in the Figures 2 and 3. On the other hand, if the separators are not detected entered by the user, or if a number is included insufficient organic separators as determined by the decision block 102, then domain separators 30 will will insert in certain places based on the information from the user, or from the data stored by the user (for example, cookies, or other default protocol), being made the assumptions based on the particular protocol in use, or between certain numbers of digits and the like, as  illustrated by step 108.

With domain separators in place or as of stage 106 or stage 108, there is a name of almost multiple level domain. Optionally then, the processor can place the prefixes or suffixes necessary to generate a multilevel full domain name or as may be required based on known factors, as seen in the step 110. For example, a source user may omit the code from the country, for example, from your target or desired device. In In this case, the processor will recognize the insufficiency or ambiguity resulting from too few sub-domains in the address and will replace or append the user's country code originally. Similar additions can be made by placement of suffixes, if desired (for example, annexation automatic from a base level domain). Target device it is then consulted through the network by the domain name of multiple levels generated, as seen in block 112. If the target device is available, will respond in a way similar at what point the communication between the source and objective devices, as seen in the stage 114

With reference now to Figure 5, a generic system 120 connected to a network 122 to implement suitably the invention. A device 124 is connected to server 120. A processor 120a within the server receives from device 124 a portion of the telephone number 50 (figure 2) of an address intended to identify a second device 128. The  processor 120a converts the portion of the phone number into a multi-level static domain name 96 (figure 3) that identifies the second device 128 through the network 122. To For purposes of illustration, the device 128 is illustrated connected to the network 122 through its own server, however, they are conceived and numerous other interconnections apply with equal ease. The processor 120a determines the presence or absence of separators organic and, as described above, generates a name of complete multilevel domain 96 suitable for identifying the 128 device. The name of - full domain of multiple levels 96 is then optionally converted into memory 120b to a standard IP address in this example. The device target 128 is then consulted at the IP address location converted, and if available, respond to the query. The details of packet switching and establishment of the call through the network along with the path selection through the network they are known to those skilled in the art and they  They develop here in a conventional way.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, they will occur to others some modifications and alterations after reading and Understanding the descriptive memory. It is our intention to include all modifications and alterations whenever they come inside of the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims (14)

1. Method of addressing networks using telephone numbers, characterized in that it comprises: receive a portion of phone number that identify a device; convert the phone number portion into a multi-level domain name that identifies the device over a network, comprising the domain name of multiple levels the portion of the phone number and a portion of base; Y establish communication with the device to through the multi-level domain name on the network. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the telephone number of the multi-level domain name is subordinated to the base portion. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the base portion of the multi-level domain name comprises a base level domain. 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion step comprises: add domain separators to the portion of the phone number received at determinable locations in the portion of the telephone number received. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the received telephone number comprises a separator, the conversion step comprising: analyze the portion of the phone number received for the separator; and insert a domain separator for the analyzed separator. 6. Method according to claim 1. characterized in that it further comprises: attach additional domain levels to the portion of phone number converted to complete name of multi-level domain. 7. Method of addressing networks using telephone numbers, characterized in that it comprises: receive from a first device at least one portion of a multi-level static domain name, which includes a portion of the phone number that identifies a second device; determine the availability of the second device over the network; Y in response to the determination stage, selectively establish communications from the first device to the second device. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises: establish communications from the second device to the first device. 9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the step of determining availability comprises: interrogate the second device over the network; Y receive a response from the second device indicative of the availability of the second device. 10. Network addressing apparatus, for establishing communication between at least two devices on a network, characterized in that it comprises a processor that receives from a first device a portion of the telephone number that identifies a second device, and converts the portion of the number telephone in a multi-level static domain name that identifies the second device on the network. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the processor additionally establishes communication with the second device on the network. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a table that relates the name of the multi-level static domain with an IP address. 13. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the processor additionally adds domain separators to the portion of the telephone number received at determinable locations to give rise to a multi-level static domain name. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the portion of the received telephone number comprises a separator, and wherein the processor analyzes the portion of the received telephone number for the separator and inserts a domain separator for selected cases of the analyzed separator.