Optimised control of traffic load on switches in a communication network

• US 20060068807A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Everbridge Incorporated
• Original Assignee: UMS Unified Messaging Systems
• Inventors: Haga, Nils, Heen, Kjell
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/453
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/11 Identifying congestion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/263 Rate modification at the source after receiving feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/367 Traffic or load control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0091 Congestion or overload control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for optimised resource use of one or more selected switches in a communication network for alerting the population when an undesirable event occurs in a specific geographical area by means of messages transmitted via the switches. The switches may form a part of a fixed telephone network and/or a mobile telephone network.

Claims

1. A method for optimised control of traffic load in the form of connected messages on one or more switches in a fixed telephony and/or mobile telephony communication network for maximum exploitation of the capacity of the switch when an undesirable event occurs in a specific geographical area, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps:

a) establishing information on who is located within the geographical area in question;

b) assigning load status on relevant switch(es) in the geographical area in question;

c) clarifying the content to be broadcast and implementing broadcasting;

d) monitoring the load on the switch(es);

e) changing the number of message exchanges as a result of revealed load status on the switch(es).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the steps are repeated as long as an undesirable event is of such a nature that it is important to be in control of the situation.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the method comprises an additional step before step c) involving establishment of a list (pri-list) with prioritised telephone numbers (pri-numbers) which should be given the highest priority when executing a message by calling via a switch.

4. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that step a) comprises generating lists of key persons when an undesirable event occurs, where the lists form the basis for what and to whom information should be broadcast.

5. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that step b) comprises a test transmission with simultaneous calls for assigning load status to the switch(es), which is used as a basis for implementing load-reducing measures.

6. A method according to claim 5, characterised in that step b) further comprises optimised control of the number of simultaneous calls of message exchanges, the number being increased or reduced as a result of the revealed load on a related switch and based on a set of rules.

7. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the additional step comprises generating lists of relevant telephone numbers when an undesirable event occurs, where the lists form the basis for who should be given priority on the switch(es) in question.

8. A method according to claim 6, characterised in that the set of rules comprises the use of empirical data, geographical location, demographic data, time and which phase an undesirable event is in, which together will decide whether ongoing calls should be stopped or rerouted to a switch with a lower load.

9. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the clarification of switch(es) for broadcasting in step c) is based on the defined list of addresses and switch priorities, and comprises the use of batch or sequentially operated broadcasting, or broadcasting with a time window for acknowledgement.

10. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that step c) comprises arranging the content to be broadcast in such a manner that it is adapted to the specific format required for the relevant communication channel, and preparation for receipt of confirmation of broadcast message in order to be able to update the list of addresses and switch priorities for further follow-up.

11. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that step d) comprises assigning information on successful broadcasting, response from relevant receivers of the message and updating of the original pri-list that appeared at the start of the method.

12. A system comprising switch(es), processing device and known devices required in a fixed and/or mobile telephony network, characterised in that the system is arranged to carry out the method according to claims 1 to 11.

13. A computer program residing on a storage medium or in a computer memory, or generated on a propagation signal for execution of a processing device connected to a switch in a communication network, characterised in that the program comprises a set of instructions arranged to carry out the method according to claims 1 to 11 by execution on the processing device.