Patent Abstract:
Methods, devices, and storage media provide for receiving a message pertaining to a telephone call set-up; identifying in the message a called telephone number; selecting a calling telephone number based on the called telephone number; replacing a calling telephone number included in the message with the selected calling telephone number; and transmitting the message that includes the selected calling telephone number.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A company may use an enterprise network that includes an Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IP PBX) to provide various services, such as telephony, messaging, presence, and video. The company may also use a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking service to connect to a traditional phone system, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which an exemplary embodiment for providing local identity based on a called number may be implemented; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an exemplary scenario in which local identity based on a called number may be provided in the environment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary database; 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram illustrating exemplary data in the database according to the exemplary scenario depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2C ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device that may correspond to one or more of the devices in the environment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process for providing local identity based on a called number. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a network device receives a call setup message and replaces an existing calling number with a substitute calling number. The network device selects the substitute calling number based on the called number. For example, the substitute calling number may be a local telephone number relative to the called number. In this regard, the called party receiving the call will consider the calling party as having a local presence. Also, the calling party may be billed based on the substitute calling number. 
     According to an exemplary implementation, the call setup message may be a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invite message. According to other implementations, the call setup message may be message based on some other format and/or protocol (e.g., H.323, Extensible Markup Language Protocol (XMPP), Skinny Call Control Protocol (SCCP), Internet Protocol (IP), etc.). According to an exemplary implementation, the substitute calling number may be a screened telephone number (STN) or an unscreened telephone number to be delivered as an Automatic Number Identification (ANI). 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which an exemplary embodiment for providing local identity based on a called number may be implemented. As illustrated, environment  100  includes enterprise sites  105 - 1  through  105 -X, in which X&gt;1 (referred collectively as enterprise sites  105  or individually as enterprise site  105 ). Enterprise site  105  includes user devices  110 - 1  through  110 -V, in which V&gt;1 (referred collectively as user devices  110  or individually as user device  110 ). As further illustrated, environment  100  includes an enterprise site  115  that includes a PBX  120  and a customer edge (CE) device  125 . Environment  100  also includes a trunking network (e.g., a SIP trunking network, etc.) deployed over a private IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (PIP/MPLS) network  130  that includes provider edge (PE) devices  135 - 1  through  135 -S, in which S&gt;1 (referred to collectively as provider edge devices  135  or individually as provider edge device  135 ), a network device  140 , a network device  145 , and a billing device  165 . Additionally, environment  100  includes a public switched telephone network  150 , and customer sites  155 - 1  through  155 -Y, in which Y&gt;1 (referred to collectively as customer sites  155  or individually customer site  155 ) that include user devices  160 - 1  through  160 -W, in which W&gt;1 (referred to collectively as user devices  160  or individually as user device  160 ). 
     The number of devices and the configuration in environment  100  are exemplary and provided for simplicity. According to other embodiments, environment  100  may include additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, and/or differently arranged devices, than those illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the number and type of networks in environment  100  are exemplary and provided for simplicity. 
     According to other embodiments, a single device in  FIG. 1  may be implemented as multiple devices and/or multiple devices may be implemented as a single device. A device may be implemented according to a centralized computing architecture, a distributed computing architecture, or a cloud computing architecture. Additionally, a device may be implemented according to one or multiple network architectures (e.g., a client device, a server device, a peer device, or a combination thereof). 
     Also, according to other embodiments, one or more functions and/or processes described as being performed by a particular device may be performed by a different device, or some combination of devices. Environment  100  may be implemented to include wired and/or wireless connections among the devices illustrated. 
     Enterprise site  105  is a location associated with a company or a business. User device  110  includes a telephone. For example, the telephone may be implemented as a PBX telephone. According to an exemplary implementation, a user may be able to access PBX  120 , via user device  110 , on-site (e.g., enterprise site  105 ). According to another exemplary implementation, a user may be able to access PBX  120 , via user device  110 , off-site. 
     Enterprise site  115  is a location associated with a company or a business. PBX  120  includes a device that provides telephone switching service(s). According to an exemplary implementation, PBX  120  is an IP PBX. PBX  120  may serve as a common access point for calls. CE device  125  includes a network device that connects enterprise site  115  to PIP/MPLS network  130 . According to an exemplary implementation, CE device  125  is a customer edge router. 
     PIP/MPLS network  130  is a PIP/MPLS network. According to an exemplary implementation, PIP/MPLS network  130  includes a trunking network (e.g., SIP, etc.). PE device  135  includes a network device that connects PIP/MPLS network  130  to enterprise site  115 . According to an exemplary implementation, PE device  135  is a provider edge router. 
     Network device  140  includes a network device that provides a local identity based on a called number service. According to an exemplary implementation, network device  140  includes a device that hosts an application server. According to other implementations, network device  140  may be implemented as another type of network device (e.g., a PBX, a switch, etc.) that is in a call setup path. According to an exemplary implementation, network device  140  may provide a SIP trunking service. 
     Network device  145  includes a network device that connects PIP/MPLS network  130  to PSTN  150 . According to an exemplary implementation, network device  145  is a gateway device. 
     Billing device  165  includes a network device that collects and processes billing information. PSTN  150  includes a voice or a telephone network. According to an exemplary implementation, PSTN  150  is a traditional public circuit-switched telephone network. 
     Customer site  155  is a location associated with a user of user device  160 . User device  160  includes a telephone or other type of telephony device (e.g., a mobile device, etc.). 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an exemplary scenario in which local identity based on a called number may be provided in the environment depicted in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2A , assume that a user of user device  110 - 1  in enterprise site  105 - 1  places a telephone call to a user of user device  160 - 1  in customer site  155 - 1 . In this example, assume that enterprise site  105 - 1  is located in Seattle, Wash., enterprise site  115  is located in Austin, Tex. and customer site  155 - 1  is located Houston, Tex. Also, assume that the user of user device  110 - 1  is calling from 206-555-3456 and that the user of user device  160 - 1  has a telephone number of 713-555-2345. 
     As illustrated, a call message is transmitted from user device  110 - 1  located in Seattle, Wash. to enterprise site  115 . PBX  120  receives, for example, a call connect message that includes the calling number and the called number. According to an exemplary implementation, if the call connect message is not in a format for PIP/MPLS network  130 , PBX  120  may convert the call connect message to an IP-based message (e.g., a SIP invite message). Alternatively, a gateway (not illustrated) or CE  125  may convert the call message to an IP-based message or other suitable format. In this example, assume that a SIP invite message is transmitted to network device  140  via CE  125  and PE  135 . According to an exemplary implementation, the SIP invite message includes a Diversion header. According to another exemplary implementation, the SIP invite message does not include a Diversion header. According to yet another implementation, the SIP invite message may include another type of header (e.g., a history header, etc.) and/or other data/information field(s), which may be used to carry a billing number. According to this exemplary scenario, it may be assumed that the SIP invite message includes a Diversion header. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , network device  140  analyzes the SIP invite message to perform a local identity service. According to an exemplary embodiment, network device  140  inspects the SIP invite message to identify the telephone number of the called party. According to an exemplary implementation, network device  140  identifies information included in the “To” SIP header. According to another implementation, network device  140  may identify information included in the Request-Line-URI that includes the URI of the destination. Network device  140  accesses a database to select an appropriate calling number. An exemplary database is described further below. 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary database  300 . As illustrated, database  300  includes a “To” header field  305 , a “From” header field  310 , and a “Diversion” header field  315 . 
     “To” header field  305  indicates a telephone number of the called party. “To” header field  305  may indicate an entire telephone number (e.g. 10 digits) or a portion of a telephone number (e.g., 3 or more digits). “From” header field  310  indicates a telephone number of the calling party. As described further below, the telephone number in “From” header field  310  may serve as the telephone number that the calling party wants to use for the call. Additionally, in instances that, for example, the SIP invite message does not include a Diversion header, the telephone number in “From” header field  310  may be used for billing purposes. “Diversion” header field  315  indicates a telephone number to be used for billing purposes. For example, in instances that, for example, the SIP invite message includes a Diversion header, the telephone number in “Diversion” header field  315  will be used in the Diversion header. 
     According to other implementations, database  300  may include additional, fewer, and/or different data and/or information fields. For example, according to an exemplary implementation, each record may not include “Diversion” header field. Rather, the telephone number included in “From” header field may serve as both the billing telephone number and the calling party telephone number. Additionally or alternatively, for example, as previously described, according to implementations in which a database is used, depending on the protocols/formats used (e.g., H.323, etc.) suitable data/information fields may store corresponding data/information. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2B , as previously described, assume that the called telephone number is 713-555-1234. Also, assume that the SIP invite message includes a Diversion header. Network device  140  uses database  300  to select a calling number (e.g., a telephone number to be used in the From header of the SIP invite message) and a billing number (e.g., a telephone number to be used in the Diversion header of the SIP invite message). For example, in  FIG. 3B , network device  140  uses the called number as a key for database  300 . For example, network device  140  compares at least 3 digits (e.g., 713, etc.) of the called number (e.g., 713-555-2345) to entries in “To” header fields  305  and identifies record  350 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , network device  140  replaces “2065553456” in the “From” header field of the SIP message with telephone number indicated in the “From” header field  310  of record  350  (e.g., 713300111@abc.com). Additionally, network device  140  replaces the telephone number in the Diversion header with the telephone number indicated in the “Diversion” header field  315  of record  350  (e.g., 7133001111@abc.com). In this example, the telephone numbers in “From” header field  310  and “Diversion” header field  315  of record  350  are the same. However, according to other records (e.g., record  355 ), the telephone numbers may be different and may be a customer preference. Network device  140  transmits the modified SIP message to network device  145 . 
     In this example, the modified SIP message is received by network device  145 . Referring to  FIG. 2C , network device  145  may convert the modified SIP message to a PSTN compatible format. For example, network device  145  may generate and send a Signaling System #7 (SS7) ISDN user part (ISUP) initial address message (IAM) to PSTN  150 . The calling number and the called number are included in the ISUP initial address message. A switch (not illustrated) in PSTN  150  replies with an ISUP address complete message to network device  145  and a voice path is established between the user of user device  110 - 1  and the user of user device  160 - 1 . In this example, assume that the user of user device  160 - 1  has caller ID service. According to such an example, the user of user device  160 - 1  will see that the call originated from “7133001111,” which is a local telephone number. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , network device  140  may send billing information to billing device  165 . The company will be charged for the call as if the call is a local call versus long distance. That is, the billing of the call is based on the 713-300-1111 telephone number. 
     According to other examples, the calling number may be of the same area code or area code and prefix as the called number. Network device  140  may perform a process similar to that described. For example, assume enterprise site  105 -X is located in the same city as customer site  155 -Y. According to an exemplary implementation, network device  140  may access database  300  and substitute telephone numbers in the Diversion and the From headers based on the called number. According to another example, the SIP invite message does not include the Diversion header. Network device  140  may perform a process similar to that described, except that the From header will serve as both the calling party number and the billing number. According to yet another example, the SIP invite message does not include the Diversion header. Network generates a Diversion header and may perform a process similar to that described. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device  400  that may correspond to one or more of the devices in environment  100 . As illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment, device  400  includes a processor  405 , memory/storage  410  storing software  415 , a communication interface  420 , an input  425 , and an output  430 . According to other embodiments, device  400  may include fewer components, additional components, different components, and/or a different arrangement of components than those illustrated in  FIG. 4  and described herein. 
     Processor  405  includes one or multiple processors, microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers, programmable logic devices, chipsets, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processing units (e.g., one or multiple cores), microcontrollers, and/or some other type of component that interprets and/or executes instructions and/or data. Processor  405  may be implemented as hardware (e.g., a microprocessor, etc.), a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a SoC, an ASIC, etc.), may include one or multiple memories (e.g., memory/storage  410 ), etc. 
     Processor  405  may control the overall operation or a portion of operation(s) performed by device  400 . Processor  405  may perform one or multiple operations based on an operating system and/or various applications or programs (e.g., software  415 ). Processor  405  may access instructions from memory/storage  410 , from other components of device  400 , and/or from a source external to device  400  (e.g., a network, another device, etc.). 
     Memory/storage  410  includes one or multiple memories and/or one or multiple other types of storage mediums. For example, memory/storage  410  may include one or multiple types of memories, such as, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, read only memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a single in-line memory module (SIMM), a phase-change memory (PCM), a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a flash memory, and/or some other type of memory. Memory/storage  410  may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.), a Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-based storage medium, and/or a nanotechnology-based storage medium. Memory/storage  410  may include drives for reading from and writing to the storage medium. 
     Memory/storage  410  may be external to and/or removable from device  400 , such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick, a dongle, a hard disk, mass storage, off-line storage, or some other type of storing medium (e.g., a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-Ray® disk (BD), etc.). Memory/storage  410  may store data, software, and/or instructions related to the operation of device  400 . 
     Software  415  includes an application or a program that provides a function and/or a process. Software  415  may include firmware. Communication interface  420  permits device  400  to communicate with other devices, networks, and/or systems. Communication interface  420  may include a wireless interface and/or a wired interface. Communication interface  420  includes a transmitter, a receiver, and/or a transceiver. Communication interface  420  may operate according to one or multiple protocols, standards, and/or the like. 
     Input  425  provides an input into device  400 . For example, input  425  may include a keyboard, a mouse, a display, a touchscreen, a touchless screen, a button, a switch, an input port, speech recognition logic, and/or some other type of visual, auditory, tactile, etc., input component. Output  430  provides an output from device  400 . For example, output  430  may include a speaker, a display, a touchscreen, a touchless screen, a light, an output port, and/or some other type of visual, auditory, tactile, etc., output component. 
     Device  400  may perform processes and/or functions, as described herein, in response to processor  405  executing software  415  stored by memory/storage  410 . By way of example, the instructions may be read into memory/storage  410  from another memory/storage  410  or from another device via communication interface  420 . The instructions stored by memory/storage  410  may cause processor  405  to perform one or more processes described herein. Alternatively, for example, according to other implementations, device  400  may perform one or more processes described herein based on the execution of hardware (processor  405 , etc.), the execution of firmware with hardware, or the execution of software and firmware with hardware. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary process for providing local identity based on a called number. According to an exemplary embodiment, network device  140  performs process  500 . For example, processor  405  may execute software  415  to perform the steps described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , in block  505 , a SIP message is received. For example, network device  140  receives a SIP invite message pertaining to a telephone call. According to an exemplary implementation, the SIP message does not includes a Diversion header. According to another implementation, the SIP message includes a Diversion header. 
     In block  510 , a called number is identified. For example, network device  140  inspects a To field of the SIP header included in the SIP invite message. 
     In block  515 , it is determined whether the SIP message includes a Diversion header. For example, network device  140  inspects the SIP message to identify whether a Diversion header is present. According to other implementations, network device  140  may determine whether the SIP message includes a Diversion header based on other factors (e.g., network address of PBX  120  and/or CE  125 , etc.). 
     If it is determined that the SIP message includes the Diversion header (block  515 -YES), a billing number based on the called number is inserted (block  520 ). For example, network device  140  uses database  300  to select a telephone number for the Diversion header. Network device  140  inserts the selected telephone number in the Diversion header included in the SIP message. 
     In block  525 , a calling number is inserted. For example, network device  140  uses database  300  to select a telephone number (e.g., a calling party number) based on the called number and/or the billing number. Network device  140  inserts the selected telephone number in the From header of the SIP message. 
     If it is determined that the SIP message does not include the Diversion header (block  515 -NO), a billing number based on the called number is inserted (block  530 ). For example, network device  140  uses database  300  to select a telephone number for the From header. Network device  140  inserts the selected telephone number in the From header included in the SIP message. 
     In block  535 , a modified SIP message is forwarded. For example, network device  140  transmits the modified SIP invite message to network device  145 . Network device  145  processes the modified SIP invite message for receipt by PSTN  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5B , in block  540 , billing information based on the billing number or the calling number is sent. For example, network device  140  sends billing information to billing device  165 . Depending on whether the SIP message includes the Diversion header, the billing information is based on the billing number included in the Diversion header or the calling number included in the From header of the SIP message. The call is billed based on the billing number of the calling number. 
     Although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an exemplary process  500  to provide local identity based on the called number, according to other embodiments, process  500  may include additional operations, fewer operations, and/or different operations than those illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  and described herein. For example, although process  500  is described in relation to the Session Initiation Protocol, according to other embodiments, process  500  may include different operations if other protocols and/or formats are used. Additionally, according to other embodiments, PBX  120  or some other network device in a calling path may perform one or more steps of process  500 . 
     The foregoing description of embodiments provides illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments described herein may be possible. 
     The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to be interpreted as “based, at least in part, on,” unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term “and/or” is intended to be interpreted to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items. 
     In addition, while a series of blocks has been described with regard to the process illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the order of the blocks may be modified according to other embodiments. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel. Additionally, other processes described in this description may be modified and/or non-dependent operations may be performed in parallel. 
     The embodiments described herein may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and/or hardware. For example, a process or a function may be implemented as “logic” or as a “component.” This logic or this component may include hardware (e.g., processor  405 , etc.), a combination of hardware and software (e.g., software  415 ), a combination of hardware and firmware, or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. The embodiments have been described without reference to the specific software code since software can be designed to implement the embodiments based on the description herein. 
     In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     In the specification and illustrated by the drawings, reference is made to “an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” etc., which may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic in connection with an embodiment(s). However, the use of the phrase or term “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” etc., in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to all embodiments described, nor does it necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiment(s). The same applies to the term “implementation,” “implementations,” etc. 
     No element, act, or instruction described in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments described herein unless explicitly described as such.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7