Method and apparatus for linking identification data to a call in a network

• US 20080159308A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Pfleging, Gerald W., Wilkin, George Paul, Kimmitt, Kelly G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,929,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/35 virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13384 Inter-PBX traffic, PBX networks, e.g. corporate networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 Virtual channel/circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A method and apparatus for linking caller identification data to a call that originates from a virtual private network is disclosed. Steps relating to the method receiving a call, including an identifier at a mobile switching center. The identifier would identify a termination point that initiated the call. The method also includes accessing a database with call identification information in response to a trigger and linking the call with caller identification data via the identifier. The method could also include that the call is received from a cellular VPN. The system implementing the method would include a database having stored within caller identification data corresponding to an identifier, a mobile switching center configured to receive the call from a VPN and an application server configured to access the database and link the call.

Claims

1. A method of linking of caller identification data to a call that originates from a virtual private network comprising:

receiving a call including an identifier at a mobile switching center;

accessing a database with caller identification data in response to a trigger; and

linking the call with caller identification data via said identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said call is received from a cellular virtual private network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said trigger is activated by all received calls.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said trigger is activated, at least in part, by said identifier.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a call includes said identifier being a user entered access code.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a call includes said identifier being user equipment electronic serial number.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a call includes said call being an international call.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising routing the call to a foreign network equipment, said foreign network equipment is configured accept said caller identification data linked with said international call.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein accessing a database includes accessing a database internal to said virtual private network.

10. A system for linking caller identification data to a call with an identifier originating in a virtual private network comprising:

a database having stored within said caller identification data corresponding to said identifier;

a mobile switching center configured to receive said call originating from a virtual private network, recognize said identifier, and communicate with an application server in response to a trigger; and

said application server configured to access said database and link said call to said caller identification data.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said identifier is an originating phone number.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said trigger is activated via is a user entered access code.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said identifier is a user entered access code.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein said trigger is activated via receiving an incoming call.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein said virtual private network is a cellular virtual private network.

16. The system according to claim 10, further comprising:

said call is an international call; and

a switch located in the called party'"'"'s country configured to receive said international call linked with said caller identification data.

17. A system for linking caller identification information to a call, the system comprising:

a database having stored within caller identification data corresponding to an identifier;

a linking module configured to link a call that originated from a virtual private network to said caller identification data; and

a switching module configured to receive a call originating from a virtual private network and communicate with said linking module in response to a trigger.

18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising, a routing module configured to route said call in response to said trigger.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein said database is internal to said virtual private network.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein said virtual private network is a cellular virtual private network.