Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED TO APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/184,899, filed Jul. 20, 2005, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2004-228655, filed Aug. 4, 2004, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an IP telephone system, and a calling method by the IP telephone system that perform communication via an IP network. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The recent rapid growth of the Internet has drawn attention to an IP telephone system that enables low-cost voice communications with telephone apparatuses at remote places as well as free voice communications between IP telephone apparatuses owned by subscribers. It is also known that, when a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) telephone apparatus connected to a conventional PSTN places a call to an IP telephone apparatus, a telephone number which begins with “050” is dialed. 
         [0006]    Recently, ENUM technology has drawn attention due to its ability to effectively manage information used for various communications methods including telephones, facsimiles, cellular phones and electronic mail, and to enable various communication according to individual circumstances. ENUM is designed to identify the Internet service with a unique global identification number such as the E.164 number, using the DNS (Domain Name System). Currently, the IETF (Internet Engineering Task force) is seeking to standardize ENUM platforms, where protocol specifications are discussed (See Publication 1, for example).
       [Publication 1] Issued by ENUM Trial Japan “ENUM Trial Japan First Report” May, 2004       
 
         [0008]    When dialing a telephone number beginning with “050” using the ENUM system, however, a user needs to input a telephone number at an IP telephone. However, the user is unable to input a telephone number using a telephone number search system that enables the user to search a telephone number via a PC. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is provided to address the above-described problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an IP telephone system and a calling method by the IP telephone system that can place an automatic call by simply clicking, for example, a name of another IP telephone apparatus searched by a telephone number search system, the telephone number search system being capable of searching a telephone number. 
         [0010]    In the present invention, an IP telephone apparatus accesses personal information stored on a Web server, extracts all the information or part of the personal information and displays the personal data at the IP telephone apparatus. The IP telephone apparatus adds an html text file name used for the displayed personal data by clicking the personal data displayed on the IP telephone apparatus. The IP telephone apparatus then transmits, to an ENUM server, a request for a URI corresponding to an IP telephone service or for a telephone number contained in the URI. The IP telephone apparatus receives the URI corresponding to the IP telephone service or the telephone number contained in the URI, which was searched by the ENUM server based on the html text file name, and transmits, to the IP network, a message requesting a call connection by specifying the telephone number, the telephone number being received by the IP telephone apparatus as a telephone number of another IP telephone apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a network configuration of an IP telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram describing a configuration of an IP telephone apparatus according to the embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the appearance of the IP telephone apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram describing a configuration of an ENUM server according to the embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a NAPTR record stored in a DB of the ENUM server according to the embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram describing a configuration of a Web server according to the embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a display example of personal data; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a configuration describing authentication data stored on the Web server; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sequence diagram describing operations until a source IP telephone apparatus communicates with a destination IP telephone apparatus in the IP telephone system according to the embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart describing an operation of a PC when a call is made by clicking on the screen; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flow chart describing an operation of the Web server when a call is made by clicking on the screen; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a flow chart describing an operation of the source IP telephone apparatus when a call is made by clicking on the screen; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a configuration of a phonebook search screen; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates an example of the “INVITE” message; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a sequence diagram describing operations until the source IP telephone apparatus communicates with the destination IP telephone apparatus without involving a CA server. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The embodiments of the present invention are explained in the following, in reference to the above-described drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a network configuration according to the present embodiment. IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , PC (Personal Computer)  102 , Web server  103  or the like are provided within local network  100 . Local network  100  is connected to Internet/intranet  105  via router  104 . On Internet/intranet  105 , ENUM server  106 , DNS server  107 , CA (Call Agent) server  108  are in operation. In addition, another IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  may be connected to Internet/Intranet  105  via router  109 . 
         [0029]    This network configuration simply shows one example. For example, DNS server  107  and CA server  108  may not be used in another network. Also, the location of each communication device is not limited to the above description. ENUM server  106 , DNS server  107  and CA server  108  are shown as an example. The configuration may include a plurality of apparatuses connected to each other so as to provide a function which is described later. 
         [0030]    IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101  and (B)  110  have the same functions that enable voice communication with another IP telephone apparatus connected via Internet/intranet  105 . 
         [0031]    ENUM (Telephone Number Mapping) server  106  is equipped with a database (DB) that stores a NAPTR (The Naming Authority Pointer) resource record (hereafter referred to as “NAPTR record”), which is described later. ENUM server  106  transmits, to IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  ( 110 ), the NAPTR record stored in the DB in response to a query (hereafter referred to as “ENUM query”) from IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  ( 110 ). In the specification, ENUM is used as a general term describing a system that searches ENUM DNS (ENUM server) based on a predetermined number (including an electronic communication number) and obtains one or a plurality of applications in a URI form, the application being applicable in relation to the predetermined number. 
         [0032]    DNS (Domain Name System) server  107  is equipped with a DB that stores a domain name (including a URI {Uniform Resource Identifier}) specified in the NAPTR record and stores an IP address corresponding to the domain name. DNS server  107  transmits, to IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  ( 110 ), the IP address stored in the DB in response to a query from IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  ( 110 ). 
         [0033]    CA server  108  controls a call control between IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101  and (B)  110  connected to local network (IP network)  100  CA server  108  controls a call connection with a destination IP telephone apparatus in response to a call connection request from a source IP telephone apparatus. DNS server  107  is not required when CA server  108  controls a call connection. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram describing a hardware configuration of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  is mainly configured with CPU  201 , memory  202 , handset  203 , display  204  and network interface (hereafter referred to network I/F)  205 . 
         [0035]    CPU  201  controls all operations needed to perform voice communication with another IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  via Internet/intranet  105 , which is an IP network, based on a voice communication control program stored in memory  202 . CPU  201  performs, for example, a communication control utilizing the IP network, a call control via the IP network and a voice processing control. Call controls are represented by SIP (Session Initial Protocol) and H.323. CPU  201  also displays necessary information on display  204  and performs IP communication via network I/F  205 . IP communication is designed to, for example, transmit to ENUM server  106  a query (hereafter referred to as “ENUM query”) for a NAPTR record corresponding to a destination terminal, receive a response (hereafter referred to as “ENUM response”) to the ENUM query, transmit to DNS server  107  a query (hereafter referred to as “IP address query”) for an IP address and control reception of a response (hereafter referred to as “IP address response”) to the IP address query. 
         [0036]    Memory  202  is configured with a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a voice communication control program or the like executed by CPU  201 . The RAM is used as a work memory when CPU  201  executes the program. 
         [0037]    Handset  203  is used to output an on-or-off hook signal to CPU  201  according to a user&#39;s on-or-off hook operation. Handset  203  is configured with a microphone and a speaker. Handset  203  converts the user&#39;s transmitting voice, through the microphone, into the transmitting voice signal, when starting communication with the destination terminal. At the same time, handset  203  outputs, through the speaker, the receiving voice signal input from CPU  201  as the receiving voice. 
         [0038]    Display  204  is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like and displays the current status of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . Display  204  also displays a telephone number or the like input by CPU  201 . 
         [0039]    Network I/F  205  is an interface for local network (IP network)  100  to which IP telephone apparatus  101  is connected. Network I/F  205  functions as a transmitter and a receiver. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  is configured with handset  203 , display  204 , numerical keys  1102 , AM (Answering Machine) button  1103 , speaker button  1104 , and function button  1105 . Numerical keys  1102  is used to enter a telephone number or the like. AM button  1103  is used to switch to the answering machine mode. Speaker button  1104  is used to switch the mode to the external output voice. Function button  1105  is able to set various functions such as a single touch transmission function. IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  further includes, on its side, LAN interface (LAN I/F)  1106  to be connected to local network  100  and includes public line interface (public line I/F)  1107  to be connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram describing a configuration of ENUM server  106 . ENUM server  106  is mainly configured with CPU  301 , memory  302 , DB  303 , input/output device  304  and network I/F  305 . 
         [0042]    CPU  301  controls the entire operation of ENUM server  106  based on the control program stored in memory  302 . Upon receiving an ENUM query (inquiry) from IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , for example, CPU  301  searches for a NAPTR record corresponding to the ENUM query from the data stored in DB  303 , which is described later, and transmits the NAPTR record to IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  that has transmitted the ENUM query. In the present embodiment, it is possible to use a reversed NATRA query transmitted from Web server (described later). 
         [0043]    Memory  302  may be configured with a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores the control program executed by CPU  301 . The RAM is used as a work memory when CPU  301  executes the program. 
         [0044]    DB  303 , which is configured with a hard disk device or the like, stores the above-noted NAPTR record.  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of the NAPTR record stored in DB  303 . The example shows that DB  303  stores the NAPTR record corresponding to domain name “0.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” obtained from telephone number “0310000000”, and the NAPTR record corresponding to domain name “1.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” obtained from telephone number “0310000001”. Particularly, DB  303  stores a call recipient profile html. For example, for the user who has a URI including telephone number “0310000000”, html file “//www.tokyo.sip.com/useraaa.html” is stored. When a corresponding icon is clicked on the browser, Web server  103  transmits a reversed NAPTR query based on the call recipient profile html. 
         [0045]    In this example, a reversed NAPTR query indicates a query for a telephone number URI stored in connection with a call recipient ENUM domain name, the domain name being reversely obtained from the URI. In response to the reversed NAPTR query, ENUM server  106  first searches the DB storing the NAPTR record, and retrieves the ENUM domain name corresponding to the URI, based on the call recipient profile html file name (URI). ENUM server  106  then transmits the extracted telephone number URI (050 system number), the URI being stored in connection with the retrieved ENUM domain name. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , an html file name such as “//www.tokyo.sip.com/useraaa.html” is designated and used for the reversed NAPTR query. “0.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” is reversely obtained as the call recipient ENUM domain name. Telephone number URI “05011112222@tokyo.sip.jp” is stored in connection with the call recipient ENUM domain name. 
         [0046]    Input/output device  304  is configured with an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. The input device is used for the maintenance of ENUM server  106 . The output device is used to display the maintenance information. Network I/F  305  is an interface for Internet/intranet  105  to which ENUM server  106  is connected. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram describing a configuration of Web server  103 . Web server  103  is mainly configured with CPU  401 , memory  402 , DB  403  and network I/F  404 . 
         [0048]    CPU  401  controls the entire operation of Web server  103  based on the control program stored in memory  402 . Upon receiving a phonebook search request from PC  102 , CPU  401  searches for the call recipient profile html from phonebook data stored in DB  403  (described later), and transmits the profile html to PC  102  that has transmitted the request. 
         [0049]    Memory  402  may be configured with a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores a control program executed by CPU  401 . The RAM is used as a work memory when CPU  401  executes the program. 
         [0050]    DB  403 , which is configured with a high-capacity hard disk device or the like, stores the phonebook data. The phonebook data may be searched by the phonebook search system, which is an application executed by CPU  401 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a display example of personal data (personal profile data) searched and retrieved by the phonebook search system. In the present embodiment, the profile shown in  FIG. 7  is created in an html file (referred to as profile html) that may appear on the browser. When name column  410  in the profile html is clicked on the browser, a reversed NAPTR query is transmitted to Web server  103 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , DB  403  stores a user ID and a password that CPU  401  uses for user authentication when the user logs in to the phonebook search system. DB  403  further stores a URI or an IP address corresponding to the user ID for the user of the IP telephone apparatus. 
         [0052]    The following describes the operation in the above-described embodiment. 
         [0053]    In the following, in the  FIG. 1  network configuration, a case is explained wherein the call recipient is specified by the phonebook search system at PC  102  and a call is placed to IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  by clicking the call recipient name on the browser.  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12  are referred for the illustration. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sequence describing operations from when the user logs in to the phonebook search system at PC  102  to when communication starts between IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101  and (B)  110 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart for PC  102 ;  FIG. 11  illustrates a flow chart for Web server  103 ;  FIG. 12  illustrates a flow chart for the IP telephone apparatus. First, operations between PC  102  and Web server  103  are described. The user starts the browser at PC  102  and logs in to the Web server  103  phonebook search system. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , PC  102  starts the browser in accordance with the user&#39;s operation (S 101 ) and transmits, to Web server  103 , a request for displaying an initial screen of the phonebook search system by using the URI received from Web server  103 , the URI being specified by the user. When the user logs in on the initial screen by entering the user ID and password, PC  102  transmits a login request to Web server  103  (S  102 ). 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , upon receiving the login request to the phonebook search system (S  201 ), Web server  103  cross-checks the obtained ID and password with those stored in the phonebook ( FIG. 8 ). When they match, Web server  103  allows the user to login (S  202 ). Web server  103  transmits, to the client (PC  102 ) that logged in, a phonebook search screen.  FIG. 13  illustrates an example of the phonebook search screen. 
         [0057]    The phonebook search screen appears on the browser&#39;s window of PC  102  that logged in to the phonebook search system. When entering a search condition in name column  411  provided on the phonebook search screen and clicking search button  412 , an advanced search condition is transmitted to Web server  103  (S  103 ). 
         [0058]    Web server  103  transmits the advanced search condition to the phonebook system and searches for the corresponding data from the phonebook data (S  203 ). For example, when the name targeted as the advanced search condition is “Tokkyo Taro”, the personal data shown in  FIG. 7  is retrieved as a search result. Web server  103  transmits, to PC  102 , the call recipient profile html (“//www.tokyo.sip.com./useraaa.html”) which displays the personal data shown in  FIG. 7  on the browser (S  204 ). When there are a plurality of corresponding records, a plurality of other parties&#39; htmls are transmitted. 
         [0059]    The browser&#39;s window of PC  102  displays the call recipient profile, which shows the personal data shown in  FIG. 7 , based on the call recipient profile html received from Web server  103 . 
         [0060]    When the user places a call to “Tokkyo Taro”, which was retrieved by the phonebook search system, for example, name  410  is clicked, the name which was displayed in the call recipient profile html (S  104 ). 
         [0061]    When the call recipient name  410  is clicked, Web server  103  transmits a reversed NAPTR query and a telephone number request, using a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) based on the call recipient profile html information. Web server  103  first transmits, to ENUM server  106 , the reversed NAPTR query for the call recipient ENUM domain name based on the call recipient profile html information (S  206 ). 
         [0062]    ENUM server  106  stores, in DB  303 , the NAPTR record shown in  FIG. 5 . When the reversed NAPTR query is received from Web server  103 , ENUM server  106 , at CPU  301 , reversely obtains the call recipient ENUM domain name based on the call recipient profile html included in the request. As an example, ENUM server  106  searches the URI schemes corresponding to the http service, the URI schemes contained in the NAPTR record stored in DB  303 . ENUM server  106  then retrieves the NAPTR record specifying, in the URI, the same file name as the call recipient profile html. 
         [0063]    Next, ENUM server  106  extracts the telephone number URI (050 system) corresponding to the SIP service (IP telephone) from the NAPTR record (URI) stored in connection with the retrieved call recipient ENUM domain name. In other words, ENUM server  106  extracts all of the URIs or the telephone numbers (050 system) included therein for the call recipient that was clicked on PC  102 , the URIs or telephone numbers corresponding to the IP telephone service (sip) stored on ENUM server  106 . In the  FIG. 5  example, when “Tokkyo Taro” is clicked on the browser, the call recipient ENUM domain name “0.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.3.1.8.e164.arpa” is reversely obtained from the call recipient profile html “//www.tokyo.sip.com/useraaa.html”. After that, URI “05011112222@tokyo.sip.jp” is retrieved, the URI corresponding to the SIP service (IP telephone) and being stored in connection with the call recipient ENUM domain name. Upon receiving the reversed NAPTR query, ENUM server  106  transmits, to Web server  103  that has transmitted the request, telephone number URI “05011112222@tokyo.sip.jp” or only telephone number “05011112222” as the call recipient number response. 
         [0064]    Web server  103  then receives the call recipient number response from ENUM server  106  (S  207 ). When ENUM server  106  does not store the NAPTR record, an error notification is transmitted to ENUM server  106 . The error notification is forwarded to PC  102  that has transmitted the request, after which the process is terminated (S  208 ). 
         [0065]    Web server  103  transmits, to the URI (IP address) of the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , the URI being confirmed when the user logged in to PC  102 , the call recipient telephone number URI, using a refer message (S  209 ). 
         [0066]    PC  102  transmits, to Web server  103 , a click-to-dial request when name  410  is clicked on the browser (S  105 ). After that, PC  102  performs an automatic logout process by a timer, or upon the user request (S  106 ). When the logout request is received from the client (S  210 ), which is PC  102 , Web server  103  terminates the process. 
         [0067]    After the above-noted steps, the process proceeds to operations performed among the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , CA server  108  and the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 12  illustrates a flow chart for the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  receives the call recipient telephone number (including a URI containing a telephone number) by the refer message transmitted from Web server  103 , which initiates a call process (S  301 ). 
         [0069]    IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  creates the “INVITE” message which includes the call recipient telephone number and the telephone number of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . The call recipient telephone number was received in S  301  as an intended recipient telephone number (“To” field). The telephone number of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  is specified as the source telephone number (“From” field). IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  then transmits the “INVITE” message to CA  108  (S  302 ). IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  previously stores an IP address of CA server  108 .  FIG. 14  illustrates an example of the “INVITE” message. 
         [0070]    When receiving the “INVITE” message from IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , CA server  108  confirms the call recipient telephone number (“To” field), and forwards the “INVITE” message to the IP address of IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 , which has the call recipient telephone number. In other words, CA server  108  obtains the IP address of IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  having the call recipient telephone number, based on the call recipient telephone number, sets the IP address of IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  as an IP packet destination, and transmits the “INVITE” message to Internet/Intranet  105 . 
         [0071]    Upon receiving the “INVITE” message, the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  sounds a ring tone and transmits, to CA server  108 , the “180 Ringing” message. CA server  108  then forwards the “180 Ringing” message to the source IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101 . Upon receiving the “180 Ringing” message (S  303 ), the source IP apparatus (A)  101  sounds a ring back tone through the speaker of handset  203  (S  304 ). 
         [0072]    In response to the ring back tone, the user, who searched for the call recipient name from the phonebook system at PC  102  and clicked the name, picks up handset  203  of IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  provided close to the user of PC  102 , puts the handset  203  to the ear, and hears the ring tone directed to the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 . 
         [0073]    When an off-hook condition is detected at the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 , the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  transmits, to the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , the “200 OK” message via CA server  108 . Upon receiving the “200 OK” message (S  305 ), the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  transmits the “ACK” message to the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  (S  306 ), after which communication becomes available (S  307 ). When an error message is received in S  303 , it indicates that the communication was unsuccessful (S  308 ), and the process is terminated. 
         [0074]    As described above, in the present embodiment, when the call recipient name is clicked on the search result screen of the phonebook search system, the html file name displaying the call recipient profile (personal data) is transmitted to ENUM server  106 . ENUM server  106  then extracts the URI corresponding to the call recipient IP telephone service from the NAPTR record based on the html file name, and transmits the URI to IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . Therefore, the user becomes able to place a call to the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  without entering the call recipient telephone number at IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . 
         [0075]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, CA server  108  is involved until a connection is established between the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  and the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 . It is also possible, however, to establish a connection by performing a call control directly between IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101  and (B)  110  without involving CA server  108 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 15  illustrates a sequence describing a call control directly performed between IP telephone apparatuses (A)  101  and (B)  110  without involving CA server  108 .  FIG. 15  shows a case where Web server  103  transmits, to the URI (IP address) of the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , the URI being confirmed when the user logged in to PC  102 , the call recipient telephone number URI, using the refer message. 
         [0077]    Upon receiving, from Web server  103 , the call recipient telephone number URI, the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  starts a process for obtaining the IP address of the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110  based on the domain name corresponding to the URI. More specifically, the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  transmits, to DNS server  107 , a request for the IP address by specifying the domain name. DNS server  107  has a function which obtains the IP address of the corresponding terminal (IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 ) based on the domain name. DNS server  107  transmits, to IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 , the obtained IP address of IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 . The source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  then directly transmits, to the destination IP telephone apparatus (B)  110 , the “INVITE” message, using the obtained IP address, via Internet/intranet  105 . The “INVITE” message is structured as shown in  FIG. 14 . Communication then starts after the direct exchange of the messages “180 Ringing”, “200 OK” and “ACK” between the source and destination IP telephone apparatuses. 
         [0078]    In the above description, the user at the transmitting side accesses the phonebook search system and clicks the call recipient name at PC  102 . It is also possible, however, to have the source IP telephone apparatus (A)  101  perform all operations, the operations initiated by starting the browse at PC  102 . In other words, it is possible to perform the operation of PC  102  shown in  FIG. 10  at IP telephone apparatus (A)  101 . In this case, the process does not require Web server  103 . 
         [0079]    Instead of displaying personal data for only one individual as show in  FIG. 7 , it is further possible to display personal data for a plurality of parties, to click on the selected party, and to transmit to ENUM server  106  a request for a reversed NAPTR search as well as a telephone number request by specifying the call recipient profile file html for the party that was clicked. In addition, personal data stored on Web server  103  is not limited to phonebook data, but may take the form of other types of data as well. It is also possible to display all of the personal data or part of the data on PC  102 . 
         [0080]    It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular structures, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0081]    The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: 5