WO2007137603A1

WO2007137603A1 - Method for generating a network address and associated device

Info

Publication number: WO2007137603A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/005110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Carrillo
Original assignee: Siemens Home And Office Communication Devices Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-05-29
Filing date: 2006-05-29
Publication date: 2007-12-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for generating a network address, wherein a validation (S2) of the subscriber number is executed after the reception (S1) of a subscriber number to identify the terminal number and the exclusion tag. The identified exclusion tag is then converted (S3) to an associated portion of the network address and the portion of the network address is concatenated with the terminal number, whereby a desired network address is generated (S4). Operator convenience and user acceptance can be improved in this way.

Description

description

Method for generating a network address and associated device

The present invention relates to a method of generating a network address and associated apparatus, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for generating SIP addresses in a Voice over IP (VoIP) environment.

In future telecommunications, packet-switched networks are increasingly being used to transmit voice. While so far a voice connection has been implemented in so-called circuit-switched networks, now the packet-switching networks, such as the Internet, are used for the realization of a voice connection. Such voice connections within a packet-switched network are usually subsumed under the keyword VoIP (voice over IP), which can be used as a telecommunications terminal so-called SIP phones (Session Initiation Protocol). The conversation is sent here in individual data packages, for example via the Internet.

However, conventional telecommunication terminals or telephones and in particular mobile terminals are designed for the choice of only decimal numbers or subscriber numbers. However, this reduces the user-friendliness, especially in a VoIP environment, because usually only 12 keys with 10 digits (0 to 9) and two special characters (eg * and #) are available. In order to define URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers), for example, on the Internet with such a keyboard, a time-consuming multiple use of keys is required. By way of example, the letters "A", "B" and "C" are also stored under the "2" key, so that alphanumeric entries are fundamentally possible in this way. The user comfort, such as in a conventional PC is present for entering URIs, is therefore severely limited.

Many SIP providers or service providers already take this fact into account by assigning their customers decimal phone numbers. However, this SIP phone number is not complete until it is concatenated with the domain name of the provider, e.g. "1234@SIPGATE.DE". Conventional SIP telephones therefore pick up the decimal number dialed by the subscriber or his telecommunications terminal (e.g., "1234") and concatenate them with the same, always-fixed domain name (e.g., "SIPGATE.DE"). Then they send this complete call information to the provider, who then determines the desired destination subscriber.

Now, however, there are alliances between different providers, which allow their customers participants of the Allied providers, e.g. call for free. If, therefore, a subscriber wants to call a subscriber from a first provider from a second provider, he must enter the decimal number of the subscriber linked to the domain name of the second provider for this purpose.

Conventional SIP phones or SIP attachments can not provide this service or only under the user experience restriction described above.

For the realization of a connection of subscribers between different providers, the so-called "ENUM" look-up method has hitherto been used, wherein after the selection of a desired telephone number from the SIP telephone or the system at an external, ie located in the external network, Registrar is looked up, whether or not there is a SIP URI entry for the dialed number.

Another alternative is the connection of the subscribers from different providers via so-called gateways, which connect the packet-switched networks to line-switched networks. telnden networks and in particular to the normal analog telephone network (PSTN, Public Switched Telephone Network) realize. In addition to its SIP number, the destination subscriber must have another call number in the circuit-switching network, which is usually chargeable. Furthermore, not all providers can provide their subscribers with a suitable telephone number in the circuit-switching network, which is why such subscribers can only be reached to a limited extent.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method and an associated apparatus for generating a network address for a packet-switched network, in which a user comfort is improved.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the method by the measures of patent claim 1 and with regard to the device by the features of patent claim 11.

Specifically, by detecting a subscriber number having a terminal number and a clearing ID, subsequently evaluating the subscriber number to identify the terminal number and the clear ID, and converting the clear ID to a corresponding network address part and finally associating this address part with the terminal number, complex network addresses can be created in a user-friendly manner.

Preferably, the elimination identifier may include a prefix number or a post-dial number that is entered before or after the terminal number. Such use of traffic elimination numbers known to the user from conventional circuit-switched networks increases user-friendliness to a particular extent.

Furthermore, the excretion identifier may include one or more special characters for delimiting the excrement identifier from the Terminal number, whereby a rating or identification is further simplified.

The network address part generated in the conversion preferably represents either a domain name or an actual IP address of a respective Allied service provider, resulting in a further simplification of the system. For the realization of SIP telephones or private switching systems or network connections, the generated network address preferably represents a SIP address.

Alternatively, the evaluation for identifying the terminal number and the excrement identifier may also be made by detecting a time interval between two input digits, whereby also pulse dialing (IMF) telecommunication terminals may be used.

With respect to the apparatus, a detection unit for detecting a subscriber number having a terminal number and an elimination identifier, and a rating unit for evaluating the detected subscriber number and identifying the terminal number and elimination identifier are used. A conversion unit converts the elimination identifier into an associated network address portion, wherein a concatenation unit associates the network address portion with the terminal number such that the desired network address is generated.

In the further subclaims further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized.

The invention will be described below with reference to embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Show it: FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a telecommunication system with paging and circuit-switching networks;

FIG. 2 shows a tabular assignment of elimination identifier and network address part carried out during the conversion;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation to illustrate a SIP address generation according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a simplified representation to illustrate a SIP address generation according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a simplified representation for illustrating a SIP address generation according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a telecommunication terminal with inventive network address generation;

FIG. 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a system with a private IP private branch exchange and inventive network address generation; and

FIG. 8 shows a simplified representation of a flowchart for illustrating method steps according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a simplified representation of a telecommunications network with a paging network Nl and a circuit-switched network NO, in which the present invention can be realized.

According to FIG. 1, the packet-switching network N1, as represented, for example, by the Internet, has a first provider or service provider P1 and a second provider P2 for one VoIP voice connection (voice over IP). The first service provider Pl, which can be reached on the Internet, for example, under the domain name "SIPGATE.DE", has a multiplicity of subscribers with associated telecommunications terminals, in which case a telecommunications terminal C can be a SIP telephone which has the telephone number " 1234 "received from the service provider Pl. A further telecommunication terminal A is implemented, for example, by a cordless or wireless terminal and receives from the first service provider Pl the call number "5678." The subscriber C can now use the SIP address "5678QSIPGATE.DE" to establish the subscriber A for the realization of a VoIP connection reach and, for example, establish a voice connection.

In the same way, the possibility exists via a gateway G of the packet-switching network of the first provider Pl (SIPGATE.DE) over a predetermined number, e.g. "0180 ..." to telephone a subscriber E with a conventional telecommunication terminal in a circuit switching network NO of a service provider PO The terminal of the subscriber E is located, for example, in a conventional telephone network (PSTN) and has For example, the phone number "02871-91-2207" on.

Usually, such telephone connections, with a gateway G leaving a respective network, are subject to a charge. In contrast, telephone connections (but also data connections) within a service provider P1 are free of charge.

According to FIG. 1, alliances can also exist between different providers, which enable their customers to also call participants of the Allied providers for free. For example, if the subscriber C is a subscriber B of the second provider P2, such as "WEB. DE ", under its number assigned by this provider" 5678 "would like to contact, he must in his terminal the SIP Address "5678ΘWEB. DE "in order to establish a VoIP connection with the subscriber B. Similarly, another subscriber D or his mobile SIP telephone must use the telephone number assigned by the provider P2" 1234 "to set up a data connection (voice,. ..) to the subscriber A at the provider Pl the SIP address ,, 56780SIPGATE. DE ".

As already described in the introduction, such alphanumeric SIP addresses are very uncomfortable and user-unfriendly to be realized by means of terminals which have the same look and feel as conventional telephones or telecommunication terminals in circuit-switching networks.

To improve user comfort or to increase acceptance when such packet-switched telecommunication terminals are introduced, therefore, the method illustrated in FIG. 8 is proposed. FIG. 8 shows a simplified representation of a flowchart, as can be implemented, for example, in a packet-switched telecommunications terminal or a corresponding private branch exchange.

After a start in step SO, a subscriber number TN, which has a terminal number EN and an excretion identifier K, is initially detected in a step S1. When using terminals with frequency selection (DTMF signaling) in this case a respective frequency can be detected and assigned to a predetermined digit. On the other hand, when using terminals with pulse dialing (IWV signaling), a number of pulses can also be counted and assigned to a respective digit or to a respective character. Of course, terminals can also be used which have a respective number directly, i. e.g. as AscII-code spend.

In particular, when using terminals with pulse dialing can in step S1 also detecting a time interval between two selected digits to thereby facilitate a subsequent election evaluation. In a step S2 now an election evaluation of the detected subscriber number TN is performed to uniquely identify the terminal number EN and the elimination identifier K. The excretion identifier K corresponds, for example, to one of the Allied providers or service providers and preferably comprises a number or a special character easily generated by the keyboard. Especially when using a "preselection number" already familiar from the circuit-switching network as an excretion identifier, a particularly high level of user acceptance can be expected.The keyboard here includes, for example, the 12 keys with the numbers "1" to "9" present in conventional telecommunications terminals. "*", "0" and "#".

In a step S3, a conversion of the elimination identifier K identified by the election evaluation into a corresponding network address part DN takes place, with preferably domain names e.g. "SIPGATE.DE" of the respective

VoIP providers are used. In the same way, however, actual IP addresses, such as e.g. "192.168.1.2" can be used.

The elimination identifier thus converted into a network address part DN or domain part or IP address is subsequently linked to the terminal number in a step S4 for generating a desired network address URI in the packet-switching network. In this way, one obtains, for example, a SIP address that can be generated in a user-friendly manner and allows for different service providers a respective data connection and in particular a VoIP voice connection. User acceptance for such terminals is thereby improved and already existing terminals can continue to be used. A connection can then be established in a step S5 using the generated network address URI in the packet-switched network. The process ends in step S6.

To clarify the present invention, the different possibilities will be described in detail below with reference to concrete exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows an allocation table which can be used when converting the separation identifier K into a network address part DN, such as a provider domain part. According to FIG. 2, for example, an excretion identifier "1" is assigned the domain name "SIPGATE.DE" which corresponds to the first provider Pl according to FIG. The elimination identifier K = "2" is assigned to a network address part DN = "WEB.DE" which, for example, represents the second service provider P2 according to FIG. Further, an elimination identifier K = "3", the domain name "GMX", the exemption identifier K = "4", the domain name "NICOTEL", etc., can be assigned. Accordingly, the excretion identifier K = "5" can be assigned the domain name "PROVIDER XY", which indicates that any number of different service providers can be present in the packet-oriented network N1, for example offering a VoIP connection ,

FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation to illustrate a network address generation according to a first exemplary embodiment, wherein the same reference symbols denote the same or corresponding symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to FIG. 3, for example, the telecommunication terminal D which is assigned to the provider P2 with the domain name WEB. DE "is performed, wherein the principle of the traffic elimination numbers is used to increase acceptance, as they according to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) in circuit-switching Te- telecommunications networks. Such traffic elimination numbers contain this area code numbers, or local area codes and country codes, whereby respective countries or local networks can be selected.

According to FIG. 3, it is therefore possible to enter in the usual manner now the identification code K = "1" as the area code on the keypad of the mobile telecommunication terminal D, whereby, for example, the service provider "SIPGATE.DE" or P1 according to the table in FIG is preselected followed by a subsequent terminal number EN "5678" assigned by the first service provider Pl.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a corresponding device, as can be used in a telecommunication terminal D according to FIG. Accordingly, according to FIG. 6, the desired telephone number "1 5678" according to FIG. 3 is input to an input unit 9, as may be represented by a conventional keyboard with 12 keys, a detection unit 1 records the entered subscriber number TN, which contains the Excretion identifier K = "1" as the area code and the terminal number EN = "5678".

The detection unit 1 can also detect a time interval T between two consecutive digits of the entered subscriber number TN in order, for example, to facilitate a delimitation of the terminal number EN from the excrement identifier K via a user-induced dialing interval.

A polling unit 2 then evaluates the registered subscriber number TN and thereby identifies the terminal number EN = "5678" and the phasing identifier K = "1". Here, the detection of the time interval T performed by the detection unit 1 may optionally be used to divide the detected digit sequence into the desired elimination identifier K and terminal number EN. A conversion unit 3 then converts the detected elimination identifier K = "1" to a network address portion DN representing, for example, a domain name or an actual IP address using, for example, the mapping table shown in FIG In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the elimination identifier K = "1" is assigned the domain name "SIPGATE.DE" of the first service provider Pl and fed to a linking unit 4.

This linking unit 4 is furthermore also supplied with the terminal number EN determined or identified in the election evaluation unit 2, in order subsequently to be linked to one another. For example, the terminal number EN = "5678" is concatenated to the network address part DN = "SIPGATE.DE" via the Internet-compatible character "@", preceded by the terminal number EN, thus becoming a new network For example, this network address URI can represent a "Uniform Resource Locator" (URL) or a "Uniform Resource Name" (URN), whereby corresponding sources can be specified in the network (eg http, ftp , urn: isbn, urn: shal, etc.) In the present example, this is preferably an immediately usable SIP address (Session Initiation

Protocol) "5678@SIPGATE.DE" and used in the packet-switched network Nl.

A dial-up protocol unit 5 subsequently realizes a packet-oriented dialing protocol using, for example, the above-mentioned VoIP (voice over IP) using this generated network address URI. In order to realize a packet-oriented network connection to a packet-oriented network N1, a network connection unit 6 is furthermore provided. The network connection unit 6 is based, for example, on the Internet Protocol (IP). For the realization of a data connection and in particular a voice data connection as a function of the realized dialing protocol in the dialing protocol unit 5 and the network connection through the network connection unit 6, a data unit 7 is further provided. The network N1 may represent, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, or any other packet-oriented network. On the technical implementation forms of these blocks will not be discussed in more detail below, since they are sufficiently known, for example, from conventional VoIP phones or SIP phones.

In particular for the realization of a so-called SIP telephone or telecommunication terminal with SIP functionality, the Session Initiation Protocol can be implemented in the election protocol unit 5, the Internet Protocol being implemented in the network connection unit 6. Of course, other protocols such as e.g. H.323 can be used.

For configuring the various parameters in the network connection unit 6, the election protocol unit 5 and / or in particular the conversion unit 3, a configuration unit 8 can also be provided which can be programmed either directly via the input unit 9 or via a configuration terminal (not shown). In this way, in particular the entries in the assignment table according to FIG. 2 can optionally also be configured or adapted by the user. Of course, a preprogramming by the manufacturer or a respective provider is conceivable, whereby the user-friendliness is further improved.

In this way, a user without any difficulties of adaptation can also be used in a packet-oriented telecommunication system, e.g. Establish a voice connection in the usual way with the input of conventional digits.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified representation to illustrate an address generation in a packet-oriented network according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein identical reference symbols designate the same or corresponding elements As in Figures 1 to 3, which is why a repeated description is omitted below.

According to FIG. 4, the excrement identifier K can also be readjusted as a so-called post-election number of the terminal number EN, whereby an input break as detectable time interval T can again facilitate an identification of the respective number segments. Consequently, a user can also enter the subscriber number TN = "5678 1" as the dialed number.This use of by-numbers as a deletion identifier K, which deviates slightly from conventional landline networks, can in the same way be used to assign network address parts DN via an assignment table according to FIG In the linking unit 4, in turn, the terminal number EN and the determined domain name DN are then linked to one another in such a way that, for example, the illustrated SIP address "5678QSIPGATE.DE" results, which is then used directly for use in a dialing protocol can be. Also in the time after the terminal number EN entered by-number or

Excretion identifier K, in turn, gives a very user-friendly and simple input for a network address URI to be realized in a packet-oriented network.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified representation to illustrate an address generation according to a third exemplary embodiment, wherein identical reference symbols denote the same elements as in FIGS. 1 to 4, for which reason a repeated description will be dispensed with below.

According to FIG. 5, optionally at least one special character SZ can be inserted in the digit sequence or entered call number "1 # 5678" for further simplification of an identification of the clearance identifier K, wherein in the concrete exemplary embodiment after entry of the prefix "1" the special character SZ = "#" is input, which clearly delimits the excrement identifier K from the subsequently entered terminal number EN = 5678. In this case, the acquisition sungseinheit 1 also perform the presence of such special characters SZ. In order not to worsen the user-friendliness, the special characters SZ "*" and "#" known from conventional telephones are usually used, it being possible in principle also to use further special characters. In the same way, the special character SZ can also be readjusted to the terminal number EN followed by a by-election number or the separation identifier K, as in the second exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the elimination identifier K could also be determined by two special characters SZ at any point within a digit sequence. Again, after appropriate assignment of the excretion identifier K to a respective network address part or domain name or an actual IP address, a final connection of this network address part is performed with the detected terminal number EN, which in turn preferably the in Figure 5 illustrated SIP address "5678ΘSIPGATE. DE ^M receives the prefix of the terminal number and use of the "@" as a shortcut.

FIG. 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a telecommunication system, wherein an IP base station such as an IP telephone adapter or a private IP-based private branch exchange is additionally arranged between the telecommunication terminal TE and the packet-switching network N1.

In this case, the detection unit 1, the selection evaluation unit 2 as well as the allocation table 3 can also be implemented in the IP-based base station BS, the telecommunication terminal TE no longer having to have the corresponding elements and only transmitting the corresponding signals via a local area network such as e.g. a LAN (Local Area Network) to the corresponding blocks in the base station BS supplies and receives the corresponding resulting signals, in particular the terminal number EN and the network address parts DN, via this interface again.

As base station BS, besides the preferably usable private IP-based private branch exchanges, simple IP Adapters and so-called routers conceivable. The connection to the packet-switching network 1 takes place, for example, via a DSL line (Digital Subscriber Line). In this way, with conventional terminals for the first time as SIP subscribers and SIP subscribers from other service providers reach in a particularly simple manner. The connection data, which can usually only be entered on the PC via "soft phone", is also made possible for the first time using simple keyboards and conventional terminals, and the need to make detours via gateways with paid Alias numbers in the conventional fixed network (PSTN) is particularly reduced For the first time, the use of IP-based private branch exchanges or adapters can also be used for conventional standard telephones or telephones for VoIP applications.

The invention has been described above with reference to a SIP telephone for generating SIP addresses. However, it is not limited thereto and likewise includes other terminals for the user-friendly generation of network addresses for packet-switched networks.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 detection unit

2 Voting unit 3 Conversion unit

4 linking unit

5 election protocol unit

6 mains connection unit

7 data unit 8 configuration unit

NO circuit-switching network

Nl packet switching network

PO, Pl, P2 service provider

A to E Telecommunication terminals G Gateway

K elimination identifier

EN terminal number

DN network address part

URI network address TN subscriber number

TE telecommunications terminal

BS IP Base Station

SO to S6 process steps

Claims

claims

A method of generating a network address, comprising the steps of: detecting a subscriber number (TN) having a terminal number (EN) and an elimination identifier (K); Evaluating the subscriber number (TN) to identify the terminal number (EN) and the elimination identifier (K); Converting the elimination identifier (K) into a network address portion (DN); and

Associating the network address part (DN) with the terminal number (EN) to generate the network address (URI).

2. The method according to claim 1, g e k e n e c e n e t d u r c h the other

Step: Establishing a connection with the generated network address (URI).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the elimination identifier (K) has a prefix number which is entered before the terminal number (EN).

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elimination identifier (K) has a post-election number which is entered after the terminal number (EN).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the excretion identifier (K) has at least one special character (SZ) for delimiting the excretion identifier (K) of the terminal number (EN) and the evaluation by means of Special character (SZ).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the network address part (DN) represents a domain name, in particular an Allied service provider.

7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the network address part (DN) represents an actual IP address.

8. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, in that a network address (URI) represents a SIP address.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the linkage is performed with a link parameter "@" and the terminal number (EN) is prefixed to the network address part (DN).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the evaluation of the subscriber number (TN) for identifying the terminal number (EN) and the elimination identifier (K) by detecting a time interval (T) between two input Numbers takes place.

11. An apparatus for generating a network address, comprising: a subscriber unit (TN) detecting unit (1) having a terminal number (EN) and an elimination identifier (K); a rating unit (2) for evaluating the registered subscriber number (TN) and identifying the terminal number (EN) and the discharge identifier (K); a conversion unit (3) for converting the elimination identifier (K) into a network address part (DN); and a linking unit (4) for linking the network address part (DN) to the terminal number (EN), thereby generating the network address (URI).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the evaluation unit (2) identifies a preselection number or suffix number of the registered subscriber number (TN) as an excretion identifier (K).

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the evaluation unit (2) identifies the excretion identifier (K) by means of a special character (SZ) of the registered subscriber number (TN).

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the detection unit detects a time interval between two consecutive digits of the subscriber number. and the evaluation unit (2) identifies the elimination identifier (K) by means of the detected time interval (T).

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the conversion unit outputs a domain name or an actual IP address as a network address part (DN).

16. Device according to one of the claims 11 to 15, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e in that it is realized in a VoIP telecommunication terminal (TE).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized by an election protocol unit (5) for realizing a packet-oriented election protocol; a network connection unit (6) for realizing a packet-oriented network connection to a network (N1); and a data unit (7) for realizing a data connection as a function of the realized dialing protocol and network connection.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that it is realized in a SIP telephone, wherein in the election protocol unit (5) the Session Initiation Protocol and in the network connection unit (6) the Internet Protocol is realized.

19. Device according to claim 17, wherein a configuration unit (8) for configuring the parameters in the network connection unit (6) and / or the conversion unit (3).

20. Device according to one of the claims 11 to 19, e e c e n e c e n e d d e r c h an input unit (9) for inputting at least the subscriber number (TN).

21. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that it is at least partially realized in an IP-based private branch exchange (BS).

22. Device according to one of the claims 11 to 21, characterized in that the linking unit (4) performs a concatenation of the terminal number (EN) and the network address part (DN) with the parameter "@", wherein the terminal number ( EN).