Internet protocol for IP private branch exchanges

An Internet protocol query system for Internet protocol private branch exchanges, the system comprising:

• a private branch exchange that is connected to at least one of a public switched telephone network and an internet protocol network for connecting an outbound telephone call from at least one communication device, the private branch exchange in communication with the at least one communication device, wherein the private branch exchange includes an internal electronic numbering mapping database;
• a network in communication with the private branch exchange;
• and
• an external electronic numbering mapping database, which is external to the private branch exchange, in communication with the network for receiving electronic numbering mapping database queries from the private branch exchange based on a telephone number of the outbound telephone call, wherein the electronic numbering mapping database queries are based on a suite of protocols that unify the telephone numbering system with the Internet addressing system domain naming system,
• wherein, in response to a determination that the telephone number of the outbound telephone call does not require electronic numbering mapping information, the private branch exchange is configured to withhold sending electronic numbering mapping database queries to both the internal electronic numbering mapping database and the external electronic numbering mapping database.

A method for associating calling name delivery information with an incoming telephone call comprising:

• receiving a call setup request including a telephone number from at least one communications device;
• determining whether the telephone number requires calling name delivery information;
• in response to a determination that the telephone number requires calling name delivery information:
• querying an internal database, which is independent of at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch, for calling name delivery information related to the call setup request;
• querying an external database, which is independent of the at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch, for calling name delivery information related to the call setup request, in response to a determination that the internal database is unable to provide requested calling name delivery information;
• retrieving the calling name delivery information from one of the internal database or the external database, each of which is independent of the at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch;
• and
• transmitting the calling name delivery information to the at least one communications device;
• and
• in response to a determination that the telephone number does not require calling name delivery information, withholding sending calling name delivery queries to both the internal name delivery database and the external calling name delivery database.

A method for routing a call comprising:

• receiving a call setup request including a telephone number for an outbound call from at least one communications device;
• determining whether the telephone number requires electronic numbering mapping information;
• in response to a determination that the telephone number requires electronic numbering mapping information:
• querying an internal database for electronic numbering mapping information related to the call setup request;
• querying an external database via a network for electronic numbering mapping information related to the call setup request, in response to a determination that the internal database is unable to provide requested electronic numbering mapping information;
• retrieving the electronic numbering mapping information from one of the internal database or the external database, wherein the electronic numbering mapping information is based on a suite of protocols that unify the telephone numbering system with the Internet addressing system domain naming system;
• and
• responsive to retrieving the electronic numbering mapping information, routing the call setup request to one of a public switched telephone network and an Internet protocol network based on the retrieved electronic numbering mapping information;
• and
• in response to a determination that the telephone number does not require electronic numbering mapping information, withholding sending electronic numbering mapping database queries to both the internal database and the external database.

A private branch exchange for associating calling name delivery information to a call setup request comprising:

• a private branch exchange not in communication with time-division multiplexing integrated services digital network primary rate interface circuits;
• an internal calling name delivery database for associating calling name delivery information with the call setup request, said internal calling name delivery database being communicatively coupled to the private branch exchange, said internal calling name delivery database being independent of at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch;
• and
• a port to a network for accessing an external calling name delivery database for associating calling name delivery information with the call setup request, said port being communicatively coupled to the private branch exchange, wherein said external calling name delivery database is independent of at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch,
• wherein, in response to a determination that an incoming telephone number associated with the call setup request does not require calling name delivery information, the private branch exchange is configured to withhold sending calling name delivery queries to both the internal name delivery database and the external calling name delivery database.

A private branch exchange for retrieving electronic numbering mapping database information comprising:

• a private branch exchange not in communication with time-division multiplexing integrated services digital network primary rate interface circuits;
• an internal electronic numbering mapping database for receiving electronic numbering mapping queries, said internal electronic numbering mapping database being communicatively coupled to the private branch exchange, wherein the electronic numbering mapping information is based on a suite of protocols that unify the telephone numbering system with the Internet addressing system domain naming system;
• and
• a port to a network for accessing an external electronic numbering mapping database for receiving electronic numbering mapping queries,
• wherein, in response to a determination that the telephone number of an outbound telephone call does not require electronic numbering mapping information, the private branch exchange is configured to withhold sending electronic numbering mapping database queries to both the internal electronic numbering mapping database and the external electronic numbering mapping database.