Systems and processes for call and call feature administration on a telecommunications network

• US 20030007621A1
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CopperCom, Inc. (The Heico Cos. LLC)
• Original Assignee: CopperCom, Inc. (The Heico Cos. LLC)
• Inventors: Liu, Song, Lin, Hua, Graves, Richard C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,069,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54566 Intelligent peripherals, adjunct processors

Abstract

Improved systems and methods for call and call feature setup, administration and processing on PSTN and other telecommunications networks are provided. Calls are set up on a service plane of a conceptual switch that includes a switch plane, control plane, and service plane that are analogous to the OSI layered model of networks including a physical layer, network layer and application layer. Call set-up logic is separated from the switching fabric, allowing for flexible, on-demand, modification of service options using software while maintaining the same switching fabric in hardware. Call set-up is accomplished by a call request made upon connection of a call to the switch. This causes a call agent to search an eXtensible Markup Language knowledge base to find a web page corresponding to the initiating caller. The Web page may be collocated with the switch or on a LAN with the switch or on the “Web,” even on the caller'"'"'s termination equipment (telephone).

Claims

1. A process for providing instructions to a server, said process comprising:

(A) receiving from said server a request for instructions for services to be provided;

(B) in response to said request, deploying a software agent to perform steps comprising;

(i) retrieving from a knowledge base at least one record containing information relating to services to be provided by said server; and

(ii) formulating instructions to said switch based on the results of said retrieval; and

(C) forwarding to said switch in real time the results of said formulation.

2. The process of claim 1 further comprising parallel off-line steps of:

(D) indexing the location of said records in said knowledge base according to key words contained therein.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said information relating to services to be provided is recorded in an extension of the eXtensible Markup Language.

4. The process of claim 1 in which said step (A)comprises the step of communicating with a proxy for said server.

5. The process of claim 1 in which step (C) comprises the step of communicating with a proxy for said server.

6. A process in setting up end-to-end communication in a switched telecommunication network, said process comprising:

(A) receiving a request for set-up of a call between at least two parties on said network;

(B) in response to said request, deploying a software agent to perform steps comprising;

(i) retrieving from a knowledge base at least one record containing information relating to allowed services for at least one of said parties; and

(ii) formulating instructions to said switch based on the results of said retrieval; and

(C) forwarding to said switch in real time the results of said formulation.

7. The process of claim 6 further comprising parallel off-line steps of:

(D) indexing the location of said records in said knowledge base according to key words contained therein.

8. The process of claim 6 wherein said information relating to services to be provided is recorded in an extension of the eXtensible Markup Language.

9. The process of claim 6 in which said step (A) comprises the step of communicating with a proxy for said switch.

10. The process of claim 6 in which said step (C) comprises the step of communicating with a proxy for said switch.

11. The process of claim 6 in which said step (B)(i) of retrieving is conducted over more than one node of a network.

14. In a method according to claim 13, the improvement wherein the script language is markup language.

15. In a method according to claim 13, the improvement wherein the script language is an XML-based language.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein a service logic element includes any of a markup language page, a databases, a configuration directory, and any other repository of information used in call processing.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein the service switching element is any of a Class 4, a Class 5 switch, an ATM switch, a DSLAM, a RAS, a PBX, an IAD, and a Router.

12. Apparatus for setting up end-to-end communication in a switched telecommunication network, said apparatus comprising:

(A) logic adapted to receive a request for set-up of a call between at least two parties on said network;

(B) logic adapted to respond to said receipt by;

(i) retrieving from a knowledge base at least one record containing information relating to services to be provided by said server; and

(ii) formulating instructions to said switch based on the results of said retrieval; and

(C) logic adapted to forward to said switch in real time the results of said formulation.

13. In method for establishing communications in a switched telecommunication network, the improvement wherein call conditions and actions are defined by a script language.

16. A system for establishing communication on a telephone network, comprising

a service switching element,

a service agent coupled to the service switching that mediates signaling and interprets control as between the service switching element and a service portal,

a service portal that comprises one or more service logic elements, each defining call conditions and actions.