Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02359511 2001-10-19
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Telephone Number Internet Identifier Method and System
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to Internet communications,
and more particularly to a telephone number Internet identifier method and
system.
Background of the Invention
In a relatively short period of time, the Internet has become an integral
part of personal and business communications. During this rapid rise
problems have arose with respect to ease of use when addressing email and
accessing World Wide Web sites. The X.400/X.500 e-mail addressing
standards lack persistence so that, when someone changes their ISP or
leaves their employer, a change of address notification is required. Change of
address notifications are often neglected and are problematic since
comprehensive updating is difficult to ensure.
By their very nature, the current Domain Naming System (DNS)
Internet host addressing standards for accessing World Wide Web sites limit
the quantities of available and desirable individual domain names since, for
example, only one John Smith will get johnsmith.name. With so many people
having the same last name, most are just not going to be able to get the
address they desire.
With the relentless expansion of the Internet attempts have been made
to make more domain names available that suit an individual or business by
adding new extensions such as (.org) (.net) (.biz) (.info) and (.name).
However, as more and more extensions are introduced to cope with demand
it is becoming more difficult to find the business you are searching for since
you now not only need to know the domain name, but what extension the
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business is using. Furthermore, a large country could absorb entire
extensions in a relatively short period of time. What is needed is a unique
and
global Internet identifier that is persistent, ubiquitous, robust and user-
friendly.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved Internet
identifier.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a telephone number Internet
identifier method and system. The method includes the steps of providing an
Internet identifier in the form of a telephone number and mapping the
telephone number Internet identifier to Internet content.
The system includes a telephone number Internet Identifier directory
database and a telephone number Internet identifier search facility for
accessing the directory database to resolve Internet identifier to Internet
content. In an aspect of the present invention, the search facility includes a
plurality of search categories. In an aspect of the present invention, the
system further includes an e-mail re-director. In an aspect of the present
invention, a business can be found using any one of their name, category of
business, or telephone number.
In an aspect of the present invention, a street map is provided based
on an entered telephone number.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become
apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following
description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with regard to the following
description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 is an overview of a telephone number Internet identifier
method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an overview of a telephone number Internet identifier
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows searching for a business using their name, category of
business, or telephone number; and
Figure 4 shows relevant business information being provided directly
on the search result page.
Detailed Description of the Presentl~Preferred Embodiment
The present invention is directed to a telephone number Internet
identifier method and system. As shown in Figure 1, the method includes the
steps of providing an Internet identifier in the form of a telephone number
and
mapping the telephone number Internet identifier to Internet content.
As shown in Figure 2, the system includes a telephone number Internet
Identifier directory database and a telephone number Internet identifier
search
facility for accessing the directory database to resolve Internet identifier
to
Internet content. In an embodiment of the present invention, the search
facility
includes a plurality of search categories. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the system further includes an e-mail re-director. As shown in
Figure 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, a business can be found
using any one of their name, category of business, or telephone number.
As shown in Figure 4, in an embodiment of the present invention, the
search facility provides relevant business information directly on the search
result page. In an embodiment of the present invention, providing the
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telephone Internet identifier automates registration/form fill. In an
embodiment
of the present invention, the automated registration/form fill is
incrementally
performed in multiple stages to provide for a plurality of disclosure levels.
In
an embodiment of the present invention, a street map is provided based on an
entered telephone number.
Telephone numbers are a proven method of accessing technology. An
individual's telephone number is unique in nature and has already been
disseminated to friends, family, and businesses. The invention leverages this
ubiquitous and proven identifier format, empowering it with additional
functionality. Businesses that already have traditionally named Websites can
have the phone number URL point to their existing URL.
In Europe, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) cell phones are heavily
promoted for surfing the Internet and sending e-mail. At present, these
phones have to store telephone, Web, and e-mail addresses separately.
Using the invention, a manufacturer can install a program enabling a menu
selection of an individual phone number from memory such as "e
mail/telephone/web-site" presented in menu format. The user can then make
his or her selection from one directory of all addressing.
Telephone users can simply use existing numbers as their personal
unique identifier. As long as they have a phone number, they will have a
unique address. As permutations keep pace, so will their ability to provide a
unique identifier. A business developing a new Website or an individual
receiving a personal e-mail address is given one easy-to-remember identifier.
The invention enables a business to promote their Web site on the
Internet using a unique identifier already known to their customers and
specific to their business. The invention provides an individual or business
with the advantage of having their Website and e-mail address found when
looking through telephone directories around the world. The invention is
simple in design, easy to use, fast and comprehensive.
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Although the present invention has been described in considerable
detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions
are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should
5 not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained
herein.
