Method to control data conversion in the transfer of a connection between a packet-switched and a line-switched communications network

• US 20020037003A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Windecker, Rainer
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

In the transfer of a connection between a packet-switched and a line-switched communications network, conversion of user data which are to be transmitted via the connection is controlled by a first gateway device disposed between the packet-switched and the line-switched communications network. The conversion is carried out depending on transfer information which is formed by a second gateway device located on the path of the connection and disposed between the line-switched and a further packet-switched communications network.

Claims

1. A method to control a conversion of user data to be transmitted via a connection between a packet-switched communications network and a line-switched communications network provided by a first gateway device, comprising:

forming transfer information relating to a transfer of the user data via the connection between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network by a second gateway device disposed between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network; and

controlling the conversion of the user data by the first gateway device based on the transfer information.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling based on the transfer information to prevent a need for a buffer storage of the user data packets in the first gateway device to equalize transit time fluctuations.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling based on the transfer information prevents non-information-receiving compression of the user data in the transfer between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising transferring the transfer information from the second gateway device along a connection path to the first gateway device.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

transferring the transfer information from the second gateway device to a connection controller; and

instigating control of the user data conversion by the connection controller based on the transfer information transferred thereto.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network, and

wherein said controlling of the conversion of the user data by the first gateway device depends on recognition of said initiating.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1,

further comprising initiating setup of a data-packet-transparent tunnel connection to the second gateway device by the first gateway device, and

wherein said controlling of the conversion of the user data by the first gateway device depends on whether the tunnel connection is accepted by the second gateway device.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1,

further comprising forming conversion information relating to conversion characteristics of a conversion device disposed on a path of connection between the second gateway device and a connection destination, and

wherein said controlling of the conversion of the user data by the first gateway device depends on the conversion information.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising transferring connection information with the transfer information, the connection information identifying the connection for which the user data conversion is to be controlled.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising transferring the transfer information via a signaling connection.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising transferring the transfer information using inband signaling.

12. A control system controlling first and second gateway devices for conversion of user data to be transmitted via a connection between a packet-switched communications network and a line-switched communications network, comprising:

transfer information means for forming transfer information relating to a transfer of the user data via the connection between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network by the second gateway device disposed between the line-switched communications network and the packet-switched communications network; and

control means for controlling the conversion of the user data by the first gateway device based on the transfer information.