VPN PRI OSN independent authorization levels

• US 20060262918A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karnalkar, Anup D., Hendricks, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,773,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/221.90
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13384 Inter-PBX traffic, PBX networks, e.g. corporate networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for determining an authorization for a call based on an Originating Station Number (OSN) in a Primary Rate Interface (PRI) in a virtual private network (VPN) customized dialing plan. A new access type is defined enabling first authorization levels to be assigned at the level of the OSN. A service logic database at a Service Control Point stores second authorization level required to complete the call. A combination of a Switch ID (SwID) of the Service Switch Point (SSP) through which the call is being made and the Trunk Group Number (TGN) of the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) along with the OSN or range of OSNs serves as a primary key to the database. The first authorization level is compared to the second authorization level required to proceed with a call, and an action is selected based on the results of the comparison.

Claims

1. A computerized method for determining an authorization level for a call in a communication network comprising:

a) associating a first authorization level for the call with an Originating Station Number (OSN);

b) identifying a second authorization level required for the call to proceed; and

c) selecting an action based on a comparison of the first authorization level to the second authorization level required in the communication network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the call accesses a virtual private network (VPN).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the call is transmitted over a Primary Rate Interface (PRI).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the first authorization level further comprises combining a Service Switch Point identifier (SWID) and a Trunk Group Number identifier (TGN) to identify a VPN access type.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the a combination of Service Switch Point identifier (SWID) and Trunk Group Number (TGN) is further combined with the OSN to identify the first authorization level associated with the OSN.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting an action further comprises processing the call based on the comparison of the first and second authorization levels.

7. A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method for determining an authorization level for a call in a communication network comprising:

a) associating a first authorization level for the call with an Originating Station Number (OSN);

b) identifying a second authorization level required for the call to proceed; and

c) selecting an action based on a comparison of the first authorization level to the second authorization level required in the communication network.

8. The medium of claim 7, wherein in the method the call accesses a virtual private network (VPN).

9. The medium of claim 7, wherein in the method the call is transmitted over a Primary Rate Interface (PRI).

10. The medium of claim 7, wherein in the method associating the first authorization level further comprises combining a Service Switch Point identifier and a Trunk Group Number identifier to identify a VPN access type.

11. The medium of claim 7, wherein in the method a combination of Service Switch Point identifier and Trunk Group Number is further combined with the OSN to identify the first authorization level associated with the OSN.

12. The medium of claim 7, wherein in the method selecting an action further comprises proceeding with the call based on the comparison of the first and second authorization level.

13. A system for determining an authorization level for a call in a communication network comprising:

a processor for associating a first authorization level for the call with an Originating Station Number (OSN), identifying a second authorization level required for the call to proceed, selecting an action based on a comparison of the first authorization level to the second authorization level required in the communication network; and

a database for storing a table for associating the OSN with the first authorization level.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the call accesses a virtual private network (VPN).

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the call is transmitted over a Primary Rate Interface (PRI).

16. The system of claim 13, wherein associating the first authorization level further comprises combining of a Service Switch Point identifier and a Trunk Group Number identifier to identify a VPN access type.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein a combination of the Service Switch Point identifier and Trunk Group Number is further combined with the OSN to identify the first authorization level associated with the OSN.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein selecting an action further comprises proceeding with the call based on the comparison of the first and second authorization levels.

19. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a data structure comprising:

a first field containing data representing a originating station number; and

a second field containing data representing an authorization level for a call from the originating station number (OSN).

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising:

a third field containing a switch identifier and a trunk group number associated with the OSN.