Ipt x11 mediation layer and process

Abstract

The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for providing customer information, such as a physical address etc., to a call destination, such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link. A mediation layer maintains a table tracking information such as IP address, physical location of the customer, and MAC (Media Access Control) Address. When a call is placed, an IP address is sent to the mediation layer. The mediation layer selects appropriate caller information and routes the information to the network, which routes the information to the PSAP. The mediation layer maintains customer information through a Virtual Central Repository (VCR), and IP addresses through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server on an ongoing basis. The mediation layer can comprise multiple interconnected mediation layers in cooperation.

1 . A method of providing customer information to a call destination over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link, comprising:
 obtaining an IP address for a call;   mapping the IP address to customer information; and   routing customer information to the call destination over the IP communication link.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining an IP address further comprises receiving an IP address from a customer premises equipment. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mapping IP address to customer information further comprises maintaining a table at a mediation layer of the communication link. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the table tracks i) a physical address of the customer, ii) a physical Media Access Control address of the Customer Premises Equipment, and, iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining an IP address from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein maintaining the table further comprises obtaining customer information from a Virtual Central Repository (VCR). 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein maintaining the table further comprises using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in IP address. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for providing customer information to a call destination using Internet Protocol (IP), comprising:
 an IP communication link for obtaining an IP address for a call and for routing customer information to the call destination; and   a mediation layer linked to the IP communication link for mapping the IP address to customer information.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the call destination further comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining an IP address further comprises receiving an IP address from a customer premises equipment. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein customer information further comprises at least one of the set consisting of name, phone number, and physical location of a caller. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the mediation layer further comprising a table containing i) a physical address of the customer, ii) a physical Media Access Control address of the Customer Premises Equipment, and, iii) an IP address of the Customer Premises Equipment. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mediation layer further comprises a plurality of interconnected mediation layers. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the table is updated using an Address Resolution Protocol to determine changes in IP address. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server for providing IP address data to the mediation layer. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a Virtual Central Repository (VCR) for providing customer information to the mediation layer.