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Method and apparatus for storing and activating universal resource locators and phone numbers

Method and apparatus for storing and activating universal resource locators and phone numbers description/claims

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/258,326 filed Oct. 24, 2005, now allowed, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to communication networks and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for storing and activating Universal Resource Locators (URL) and phone numbers from video content in communication networks, e.g., packet networks such as Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks.

As extremely high bandwidth access networks become more accessible to residential subscribers, they enable service providers of these networks to integrate voice, video, and data, thereby providing more convenience for end customers and creating new service opportunities. Due to the multi-service nature of these new services, networks need to provide additional functionalities to end customers to support integrated control of these different types of services. For instance, a network provider can embed useful information such as a phone number or a Universal Resource Locator (URL) related to the streaming video content being shown associated with a video session.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for storing and activating Universal Resource Locators (URL) and phone numbers from video content in a packet network, e.g., a SoIP network.

In one embodiment, the present invention enables subscribers to store telephone numbers or URLs embedded in streaming video contents associated with a video session being shown on video display devices into address books hosted in the network. Subscribers can then access these phone numbers to place phone calls using information stored in the network address books by activating a voice session. Similarly, subscribers can also access URLs to browse websites using URLs stored in the network address books by activation a web session.

The teaching of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network related to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network related to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of storing and activating Universal Resource Locators (URL) and phone numbers from video content in a packet network, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for storing Universal Resource Locators (URL) and phone numbers from video content in a packet network, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for activating Universal Resource Locators (URL) and phone numbers from video content in a packet network, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a high level block diagram of a general purpose computer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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