Method and system for internationalizing domain names

Abstract

A method and system for internationalizing domain names is provided which 1allows domain names to be in any language without having to modify the existing Internet domain name servers. When a domain name includes non-English characters, a domain name transformer intercepts the domain name prior to reaching the resolver. The domain name is converted to a standard format which can represent all language character sets, such as UNICODE. The UNICODE string is then transformed to be in a compliant format. Redirector information is then appended to the compliant string which identifies the delegation of authoritative root servers and/or domain name servers responsible for the domain name. The compliant domain string is then resolved by the authoritative domain name server just as any English domain name.

1 . A software program, comprising instructions operative to: 
 (a) obtain a noncompliant domain name that includes at least one symbol that is not part of a set of allowed symbols;    (b) convert the noncompliant domain name into a format that includes only symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols; and    (c) produce a compliant domain name from the converted noncompliant domain name and at least one additional symbol that is part of the set of allowed symbols, 
 wherein the compliant domain has a top level domain associated therewith, and  
 wherein the top level domain resides directly under a root commonly represented by a “null” label.  
   
     
     
         2 . A software program, comprising instructions operative to: 
 (a) obtain a noncompliant domain name that includes at least one symbol that is not part of a set of allowed symbols;    (b) convert the noncompliant domain name into a format that includes only symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols; and    (c) produce a compliant domain name from the converted noncompliant domain name and at least one additional symbol that is part of the set of allowed symbols, 
 wherein the compliant domain name includes a root and a domain level under the root, and  
 wherein the at least one additional symbol is part of the domain level.  
   
     
     
         3 . The software program of  claim 2 , wherein the root is a root commonly known as the “null” root and the domain level is a top level domain.  
     
     
         4 . A software program, comprising instructions operative to: 
 (a) obtain a noncompliant domain name that includes at least one symbol that is not part of a set of allowed symbols;    (b) convert the noncompliant domain name into a format that includes only symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols; and    (c) produce a compliant domain name from the converted noncompliant domain name and at least one additional symbol that is part of the set of allowed symbols, 
 wherein the compliant domain name resides under only one root, and  
 wherein the one root is a root commonly represented by a “null” label.  
   
     
     
         5 . A software program for producing domain names, wherein the domain names are located under a root commonly known as a “null” root, wherein the root includes at least two top level domains directly thereunder, and wherein the software program comprises instructions operative to: 
 (a) obtain first and second noncompliant domain names, wherein the first and second noncompliant domain names each include at least one symbol that is not part of the set of allowed symbols;    (b) convert the first and second noncompliant domain names into a format that includes only symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols;    (c) produce a first compliant domain name from the first noncompliant domain name and at least one additional symbol that is part of the set of allowed symbols, wherein the first compliant domain name has a first top level domain associated therewith;    (d) produce a second compliant domain name from the second noncompliant domain name and at least one additional symbol that is part of the set of allowed symbols, wherein the second compliant domain name has a second top level domain associated therewith, 
 wherein the first top level domain is different than the second top level domain.  
   
     
     
         6 . A software program for producing domain names, wherein the domain names are located under a root commonly known as the “null” root, wherein the root includes at least two domain levels directly thereunder, and wherein the software program comprises instructions operative to: 
 (a) obtain first and second noncompliant domain names, wherein the first and second noncompliant domain names each include at least one symbol that is not part of the set of allowed symbols;    (b) convert the first and second noncompliant domain names into a format that includes only symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols;    (c) produce a first compliant domain name from the first noncompliant domain name and a first set of symbol that are part of the set of allowed symbols, wherein the first compliant domain name includes a first of the two domain levels, wherein the first domain level includes the first set of symbols;    (d) produce a second compliant domain name from the second noncompliant domain name and a second set of symbols that are part of the set of allowed symbols, wherein the second compliant domain name includes a second of the two domain levels, wherein the second domain level includes the second set of symbols, and 
 wherein the first domain level is different than the second domain level.  
   
     
     
         7 . The software program of  claim 6 , wherein the first of the two domain levels is a top level domain and the second of the two domain levels is a top level domain.