Cross-Network VPN Code Translation via Intermediary Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications systems cannot route calls dialed using code numbers between members of virtual private networks (VPNs) hosted or administered by different telecommunications networks, and they do not allow a single VPN to span multiple networks, limiting international calling within organizations and providing inconsistent special services and charges.
Innovation Solution
A communications system that maintains a database of codes and corresponding publicly-known telephone numbers across multiple networks, enabling communication between subscriber terminals of different networks by translating codes into publicly-known numbers and providing special services and charges for inter-VPN calls, with an International VPN Mediation and Provisioning system (IMP) managing VPN data and facilitating calls between networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a private dialing plan or VPN is provided within a single network, then subscribers can address communications using short dialing codes, but subscribers of other networks cannot access the VPN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that mediates between different networks and VPNs. This intermediary maintains a database mapping short dialing codes to public telephone numbers across multiple networks, enabling code-based dialing to work internationally by translating codes into routable numbers through the intermediary service
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal dialing system where short codes can be used across different networks and VPNs. The intermediary provides multi-functional capability by supporting code-to-number translation, routing, and VPN access management across multiple network operators, making the dialing plan universally accessible
2Productivity
If code numbers are used for internal VPN calls, then calling within the organization is simplified, but international calls between different networks are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary acts as a bridge that receives code-based dialing requests from subscribers and translates them into public telephone numbers for international routing. This allows internal organization codes to work for international calls while maintaining the simplicity of code-based dialing that improves internal communication efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical routing system that requires public telephone numbers with an electronic translation system. The intermediary uses electronic databases and software to automatically translate short codes into public numbers, eliminating the need for manual number management and enabling international code-based dialing
3Reliability
If separate VPNs are maintained on different networks, then each network can provide independent services, but a single organization cannot span multiple networks with one VPN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network-specific VPNs into a unified cross-network VPN service. The intermediary combines the dialing plans and subscriber databases of different networks, allowing a single organization to maintain one VPN that spans multiple networks while each network operator retains independence over their infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure concerns systems and methods for network communications. In one example, the method includes: providing subscriber terminals of each network with a respective publicly-known telephone number for allowing communications to be addressed to each subscriber terminal; associating selected subscriber terminals of each network together in a group such that those subscriber terminals can address communications to one another using a respective code allocated to each of the selected subscriber terminals; and, maintaining a database of the codes and corresponding publicly-known telephone numbers of all of the networks and providing to one of the networks a publicly-known telephone number corresponding to a code of a subscriber terminal of another one of the networks to allow communication from a subscriber terminal of one of the networks to be addressed to a subscriber terminal of the other of the networks using the code of the latter subscriber terminal.