COMMUNICATIONS SIGNALING GATEWAY AND SYSTEM FOR AN ADVANCED SERVICE NODE

• US 20020126678A1
• Filed: 05/07/1998
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: PHELPS, DAVID, KELLY, PATRICK J
• Granted Patent: US 6,493,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5166 in combination with interactive voice response systems or voice portals, e.g. as front-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5237 Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0093 signalling arrangements in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A signaling gateway allows a next generation of service nodes to be deployed in any communications switch network without requiring any further development or customization. The signaling gateway encapsulates multiple signaling systems into a single interface embodied in a telecommunication service provider'"'"'s proprietary signaling protocol. The signaling gateway also performs call and resource management. A next generation of service nodes may then be designed to process a reduced set number of messages that have a common format and that perform fundamental functions common to all signaling systems. Any differences in implementation of any signaling system, as well as detailed functions performed for call setup and resource management, are transparent to the service node.

Claims

1. A communications signaling gateway system for use by a next generation service node (NGSN) deployed in a telecommunications network, comprising:

first interfacing means for interfacing the signaling gateway to the network;

second interfacing means for interfacing the NGSN to the signaling gateway; and

means for translating messages between a signaling protocol used in the telecommunications network, and a proprietary signaling protocol used by the NGSN;

wherein the signaling gateway encapsulates multiple telecommunications network signaling protocols into a single signaling interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for translating comprises:

means for defining said proprietary signaling protocol to communicate with the NGSN;

means for receiving a network signaling message from the network;

a transaction control layer to convert said network signaling message into a message in said proprietary signaling protocol; and

means for sending said message in said proprietary signaling protocol to the NGSN.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said network signaling message is in ANSI SS7 format.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said network signaling message is in ITU C7 format.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said proprietary signaling protocol comprises the following messages;

Activate_Port;

Answer;

Call_Offered;

Connected;

Logoff;

Logon;

Make_Call;

Release;

Release_Notice;

Loop_Port;

UnLoop_Port; and

Deactivate_Port.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

means for switching between said transaction control layer and a second transaction control layer so that the signaling gateway may continue to operate in case of failure of said transaction control layer.

7. A communications signaling gateway system, comprising:

a plurality of transaction control layer (TCL) processors that communicate with a next generation service node (NGSN); and

a plurality of signaling point (SP) interface processes wherein each of said SP interface processes interfaces with a different telecommunications network signaling system;

wherein the system encapsulates multiple telecommunications network signaling systems into a single signaling interface for use by said NGSN in a telecommunications network.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a database;

a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to issue queries concerning call and resource states and read statistics from files located on said database;

an alarm screener that generates alarms based on messages from said plurality of SP interface processes, said NGSN, and the signaling gateway;

a statistics compiler that tracks statistics about the signaling gateway and records them to said database; and

a shared memory that allows said plurality of SP interface processes, said GUI, said alarm screener, said statistics compiler, and said plurality of TCL processors to communicate with each other.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

means for switching among said plurality of TCL processors in case of failure.

10. A communications signaling gateway method for encapsulating multiple telecommunications network signaling protocols into a single signaling interface for use by a next generation service node (NGSN) deployed in a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:

(1) interfacing the signaling gateway to the network;

(2) interfacing the NGSN to the signaling gateway; and

(3) translating messages between a signaling protocol used in the telecommunications network and a proprietary signaling protocol used by the NGSN.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (3) comprises the steps of:

(a) defining said proprietary signaling protocol to communicate with said NGSN;

(b) receiving a network signaling message from the network;

(c) converting, by a transaction control layer, said network signaling message into a message in said proprietary signaling protocol; and

(d) sending said message in said proprietary signaling protocol to the NGSN.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

(4) switching between said transaction control layer and a second transaction control layer so that the signaling gateway may continue to operate in case of failure of said transaction control layer.