System and method for configuring bandwidth transmission rates for call connections

• US 20060274769A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Wiley, William Lyle, Gardner, Michael Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5601 Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5602 Bandwidth control in ATM Networks, e.g. leaky bucket
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5632 Bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/22 Traffic shaping
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13164 Traffic (registration, measurement,...)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM

Abstract

A communication system comprises a signaling processor and an interworking unit. The signaling processor receives and processes signaling for a call to select a connection and a first bandwidth rate. The signaling processor transfers a first message indicating the connection and the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit receives the first message and user communications for the call, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at the first bandwidth rate. The interworking unit detects a trigger in the user communications, and in response, transfers the user communications over the connection at a second bandwidth rate.

Claims

1. A method of operating a communication system comprising a signaling processor and an interworking unit, the method comprising:

in the signaling processor, receiving and processing signaling for a call to select a connection and a first bandwidth rate and transferring a first message to the interworking unit indicating the connection and the first bandwidth rate;

in the interworking unit, receiving the first message and user communications for the call, and in response, transferring the user communications over the connection at the first bandwidth rate;

in the interworking unit, detecting a trigger in the user communications, and in response, transferring the user communications over the connection at a second bandwidth rate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the first bandwidth rate comprises processing a caller number to select the first bandwidth rate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the trigger comprises a tone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user communications comprise voice communications.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first bandwidth rate is lower than the second bandwidth rate.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the connection comprises a virtual connection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the connection comprises an asynchronous transfer mode connection.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the signaling comprises signaling system seven signaling.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the interworking unit, transferring a second message to the signaling processor indicating the second bandwidth rate.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, in the signaling processor, selecting a billing rate for the call based on the second message.

11. A communication system comprising:

a signaling processor configured to receive and process signaling for a call to select a connection and a first bandwidth rate and to transfer a first message indicating the connection and the first bandwidth rate;

an interworking unit configured to receive the first message and user communications for the call, and in response, to transfer the user communications over the connection at the first bandwidth rate;

the interworking unit is further configured to detect a trigger in the user communications, and in response, to transfer the user communications over the connection at a second bandwidth rate.

12. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the signaling processor is configured to process a caller number to select the first bandwidth rate.

13. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the trigger comprises a tone.

14. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the user communications comprise voice communications.

15. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the first bandwidth rate is lower than the second bandwidth rate.

16. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the connection comprises a virtual connection.

17. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the connection comprises an asynchronous transfer mode connection.

18. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the signaling comprises signaling system seven signaling.

19. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the interworking unit is further configured to transfer a second message to the signaling processor indicating the second bandwidth rate.

20. The communication system of claim 19 wherein the signaling processor is configured to select a billing rate for the call based on the second message.