Automatic conversion of telephone number to internet protocol address

Abstract

A conversion system and method allows a calling party to transmit a message to a telephone belonging to a recipient party wherein the message is transmitted via an Internet Protocol network. This conversion system and method preferably utilizes an Internet Protocol gateway. The Internet Protocol gateway preferably includes a controller and a database. In use, a telephone number of the recipient party is preferably transmitted to the Internet Protocol gateway from the calling party. Then, the controller preferably directs this telephone number to the database. The database preferably matches the telephone number of the recipient party to an Internet Protocol address which corresponds with the telephone number and returns this corresponding Internet Protocol address to the controller. Finally, the Internet Protocol gateway responds to the conversion system and method by returning the Internet Protocol address. This conversion system and method then contacts an appropriate server associated with the Internet Protocol address and transmits the message over the Internet Protocol network. The message is then transmitted from the appropriate server to the telephone number of the recipient party. Once the message is transmitted to the telephone number of the recipient party, a communication link is established between the calling party and the recipient party via the Internet Protocol network. This communication link allows both the calling party and the recipient party to communicate with each other. Further, the Internet Protocol gateway has the messaging capabilities of an Intelligent Network service such as signaling system no. 7 protocol.