PRIVATE IP COMMUNICATION NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

• US 20070206576A1
• Filed: 05/07/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Radulovic, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 8,295,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 Real-time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/781 Centralised allocation of resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/803 Application aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1205 where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks

Abstract

A disclosed Internet Linked Network Architecture delivers telecommunication type services across a network utilizing digital technology. The unique breadth and flexibility of telecommunication services offered by the Internet Linked Network Architecture flow directly from the network over which they are delivered and the underlying design principles and architectural decisions employed during its creation. The present invention supports current telecommunication and voice over IP standards and applications. This new network not only replaces the telecommunication network presently in place, but it also offers a more feature rich and cost effective alternative. For example, traditional telecommunication switches are more expensive, less reliable and slower than the faster digital data switches utilized in the present invention. Furthermore, the programmable nature of the digital devices comprising the present invention allows the new network to be built with a scalable and extensible architecture, providing the flexibility necessary to incorporate new or future digital enhancements. The inventive network is designed as a complete replacement for the traditional telecom network. The disclosed architecture allows for this network to connect to traditional networks and allows for an upgrade path. The design is robust and scalable so this network can introduce new features and functionality while preserving the quality of traditional networks.

Claims

1. A method for supplying communication and data services across a dispersed Internet protocol capable network selectively connecting devices that are electrically attached to the network, the method comprising:

the step of initiating a control path connection on a network layer between individual components attached to the dispersed network and at least one central arbitration server;

the step of receiving a service request;

the step of initiating a data path connection between the individual components designated by the service request; and

the step of initiating a service layer to supply the requested service.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a service request further comprises the step of determining whether the requested service will require real-time responsiveness.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a control path connection further comprises:

the step of logging into the central arbitration server; and

the step of delivering information concerning available resources associated with the individual components.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a control path connection further comprises the step of communicating call control information, DTMF, application specific messages, and application specific call detail information to the at least one central arbitration server.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the step of initiating a data path connection further comprises the step of establishing a real time data path between devices to deliver data packets containing voice, facsimile, DTMF tones, silence background noises, modem data, and video data.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprises the step of forwarding control path information to a termination device.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

the step of recording call detail records based in part on received call control messages and application specific messages; and

the step of monitoring the call control messages and other data derived from the control path connection and the data path connection.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the steps of initiating the data path and control path connections further comprise:

the step of optimizing the routing resources available for the connection, wherein the optimization is determined according to at least one of the following data packet prioritization systems;

least cost, failure bypass, load balancing, and class of service; and

the step of determining the necessary bandwidth of the connection to be allocated for the requested service.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a connection further comprises:

the step of reviewing service tables to determine if a requested resource required by the service request is available; and

if the requested resource is available, the step of locking both sides of connection in preparation for supplying the requested service.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the steps of reviewing the service tables and locking both sides of connection is controlled via the arbitration server, such that the requested resource is locked by the arbitration server after verifying availability.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of locking both sides of connection in preparation for supplying the requested resource is locked by the individual components making the requests.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a data path

connection further comprises:

the step of encapsulating data into data packets for transmission across the distributed network.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of encapsulating data

further comprises the step of determining a type of data being encapsulated into packets, wherein the type of data is at least one of:

voice, DTMF tones, facsimile, background noise, digital data, modem and silence.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of encapsulating data

further comprises:

the step of supplying signaling information about the destination of the packet;

the step of assigning a data type label to the packet;

the step of attaching data payload to the packet;

if the packet will be transmitted through a public network area, the step of encrypting the contents of the packet; and

the step of varying a call detail record based in part upon the data type label.

15. A communication and data services network predominately using a packetized transmission protocol, the communication and data network comprising:

means for requesting a communication data service;

means for initiating a network layer between attached components of the dispersed network, wherein the network layer initiates a control path for the attached components and a data path for select components designated in the requested communication data service; and

means for initiating a service layer to supply the requested communication data service.

16. The network as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for requesting a communication data service comprises a user terminal, such as a telephone or personal computer.

17. The network as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for initiating a network layer connection comprises:

at least one gatekeeper (CAS) electrically attached to the network; and

a plurality of entry gateways (CE), wherein each CE performs digital signal processing on received signals to generate encoded packets and is electrically attached to at least one CAS via the control path.

18. The network as recited in claim 17, wherein the means for initiating a network layer connection comprises:

a POTS interface at the user terminal; and

a central office electrically attached to the POTS interface and one CE via a standard6 PSTN connection.

19. The network as recited in claim 17, wherein the means for initiating a network layer further comprises:

a communication proxy server (C4P) electrically attached to the CAS via the control path; and

a local digital switch (C4) being electrically attached to the C4P via the network, the C4 generating dial tone, digital access, and encoding data path information to the user terminal.

20. The network as recited in claim 15, wherein the packetized transmission protocol is an Internet Media Control Protocol (IMCP) running on the at least one CAS and the plurality of CEs, the IMCP pooling data into categorized packet types exchanged between servers along the available routing resources enabling multiple data path connections to share the same packet and determining the necessary bandwidth allocation for the requested communication data service.

21-27. -27. (canceled)