METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTEROPERATING COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method of providing enhanced telephone network capabilities, the method comprising:
- monitoring a communications link to detect messages of at least one of a first type and a second type, the first type of message being a message directed to a service control point, the second type of message being a reply to a message directed to a service control point;
in response to detecting a message of either the first or second type;
determining if a message format conversion operation is required; and
in response to determining that a message format conversion operation is required, performing the required format conversion operation on the detected message.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
PSTN functionality is enhanced by the addition of an external service bridging device (ESBD) between one or more devices, e.g., signal switching points (SSPs), and a service control point (SCP). The ESBD serves as a coupling device to one or more control devices, e.g., other SCPs or IP servers, in addition to the SCP. To support the passing of messages between the SS7 network and the control devices, the ESBD includes message reformatting capabilities. The ESBD monitors for messages directed to SCPs and/or replies to messages directed to an SCP. In response to detecting a message the ESBD checks to determine if the detected message is to be processed or simply forwarded to the SCP. Messages to be processed are intercepted, duplicated, modified, replaced, broadcast, redirected, etc. Replies to broadcast query messages are detected and processed so that a single reply, in the format of an SCP response, is returned.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of providing enhanced telephone network capabilities, the method comprising:
monitoring a communications link to detect messages of at least one of a first type and a second type, the first type of message being a message directed to a service control point, the second type of message being a reply to a message directed to a service control point; in response to detecting a message of either the first or second type; determining if a message format conversion operation is required; and in response to determining that a message format conversion operation is required, performing the required format conversion operation on the detected message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
10. A communications system comprising:
-
a first device; an external control device capable of controlling a telephone call processing operation; a first service control point; a bridging device coupled to said external control device, said first device, and said first service control point, said bridging device including; means for detecting at least one of a query message from said first device directed to said first service control point and a reply to a message directed to said first service control point; and means for performing at least one of a message modification operation, a message redirection operation, and a message multicast operation on at least one detected message. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A bridging device for use in a communications system including a first device, a control device capable of controlling a telephone call processing operation, and a first service control point, the bridging device comprising:
-
a processor; an interface coupled to said first device, said control device, and to said service control point; and a memory including a module for controlling said processor to; detect at least one of a query message from said first device directed to said first service control point and a reply to a message directed to said first service control point; and perform at least one of a message modification operation, a message redirection operation, and a message multicast operation on at least one detected message. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification