ENUM Database Referral Domain for Ported Number Resolution

The patent introduces a referral domain as an intermediary element between the calling domain and the destination domain. When a telephone number is ported, the ENUM database stores a referral domain instead of directly storing the destination domain. This referral domain acts as a mediator that redirects the resolution process to the correct destination domain, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable connection establishment.

The patent makes the ENUM database universal by enabling it to handle both traditional number resolution and ported number resolution through a single mechanism. The referral domain approach allows the same ENUM database structure to serve multiple purposes: resolving numbers that have not been ported and resolving numbers that have been ported, eliminating the need for separate ad-hoc mechanisms and reducing operational costs.

The patent segments the DNS resolution process into distinct phases: the ENUM database stores referral domain information, and the actual destination domain resolution occurs in a subsequent phase. This segmentation allows the system to handle ported numbers without altering the core DNS logic, as the referral domain mechanism operates transparently within the existing DNS framework, maintaining stability while improving adaptability.

The referral domain serves as a universal intermediary that translates between different operator-specific naming conventions. Each operator can maintain their own naming conventions for storing referral domain information in their ENUM databases, while the referral mechanism itself provides a standardized approach to resolution. This eliminates the need for operators to adopt common naming conventions while ensuring interoperability.