Method and system for automatically accessing and invoking switch-based services in an advanced intelligent network

• US 5,479,495 A
• Filed: 10/01/1993
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: U.S. West Advanced Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Blumhardt, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/130,477
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142, 379/257, 379/265, 379/266, 379/112, 379/67, 379/115, 379/207, 379/201, 379/219, 379/225, 379/212, 379/216, 379/202, 379/203, 379/96, 379/62, 379/124, 379/209
• US Class Current: 379/209.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13528 SCP architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13545 monitoring of signaling messages, intelligent network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13548 call modeling, e.g. Basic Call State Model
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method and system is provided for use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for automatically accessing and invoking existing switch-based services without going off-hook. To be operative, the Advanced Intelligent Network must be equipped with O-called-party-busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality such as in AIN release 1.0 architecture and have at least one service node or suitable switch in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via a suitable signaling protocol such as Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) protocol. The switch or service node must be operative as the home switch or virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services. In operation, the signaling protocol is monitored to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services. Upon the detection of such predetermined triggers and line conditions, a first electrical signal corresponding thereto is generated for receipt by the service node SCP. Upon receipt, normal call processing is automatically suspended and call handling is transferred to the service node whereupon a second electrical signal is generated prompting the subscriber to select the associated switch-based service. If selected, by the entry of a Dual Tone MultiFrequency (DTMF) signal or other suitable response, the switch-based service will be automatically invoked without the user going off-hook.

Claims

1. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) equipped with O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality and having at least one switch and a Service Control Point (SCP) in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) signaling protocol, said switch operative as a virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services, a method for automatically accessing and invoking said switch-based services without going off-hook, comprising:

monitoring said TCAP signaling to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services;

generating a first electrical signal for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said detected predetermined triggers and line conditions;

automatically suspending normal call processing upon receipt of said first electrical signal and transferring call handling to said switch;

generating a second electrical signal prompting subscribers to select said associated switch-based service; and

automatically invoking said switch-based service if selected by said subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a subscriber initiated electrical signal for receipt by said SCP indicating said subscriber'"'"'s service selection decision;

and

analyzing said subscriber initiated electrical signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said AIN has Release 1.0 functionality.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said existing switch based services comprise Custom Local Access Signaling Services (CLASS).

5. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) equipped with O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality and having at least one service node and a Service Control Point (SCP) in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) signaling protocol, said service node operative as a virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services, a method for automatically accessing and invoking said switch-based services without going off-hook, comprising:

monitoring said TCAP signaling to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services;

generating a first electrical signal for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said detected predetermined triggers and line conditions;

automatically suspending normal call processing upon receipt of said first electrical signal and transferring call handling to said service node;

generating a second electrical signal prompting said subscriber to select said associated switch-based service;

generating a subscriber initiated electrical signal in response to said second electrical signal and for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said subscriber'"'"'s selection decision;

analyzing said subscriber initiated electrical signal; and

automatically invoking said switch-based service selected by said subscriber.

6. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) equipped with O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality and having at least one service node in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) signaling protocol, said service node operative as a virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services, a method for automatically accessing Custom Local Access Signaling Services (CLASS) Automatic Callback (AC), without going off-hook so as to effect communication between participating stations, comprising:

monitoring said TCAP signaling to detect said O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and predetermined line conditions necessary to invoke said CLASS AC feature;

generating a first electrical signal for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said detected trigger and line conditions;

automatically suspending normal call processing upon receipt of said first electrical signal and transferring call handling to said service node;

obtaining the Directory Number (DN) associated with the most recent outgoing call by said subscriber;

generating a second electrical signal prompting said subscriber to select said CLASS AC feature; and

automatically invoking said CLASS AC feature if selected such that call completion may be attempted when said participating stations are idle.

7. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) equipped with O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality and having at least one service node in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) signaling protocol, said service node operative as a virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services, a method for automatically accessing Custom Local Access Signaling Services (CLASS) Automatic Recall (AR), without going off-hook so as to effect communication between participating stations, comprising:

monitoring said TCAP signaling to detect said O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and predetermined line conditions necessary to invoke said CLASS AC feature;

generating a first electrical signal for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said detected trigger and line conditions;

automatically suspending normal call processing upon receipt of said first electrical signal and transferring call handling to said service node;

obtaining the Directory Number (DN) associated with the most recent incoming call to said subscriber;

prompting said subscriber to select said CLASS AR feature; and

automatically invoking said CLASS AR feature if selected such that call completion may be attempted when said participating stations are idle.

8. For use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) equipped with O-Called-Party-Busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality and having at least one switch and a Service Control Point (SCP) in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) signaling protocol, said switch operative as a virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to Custom Local Access Signaling Services (CLASS), including Automatic Recall and Automatic Callback Services, a method for automatically accessing and invoking said Automatic Recall or Automatic Callback Services without going off-hook, comprising:

monitoring said TCAP signaling to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with invoking said Automatic Recall and Automatic Callback Services;

generating a first electrical signal for receipt by said SCP corresponding to said detected predetermined triggers and line conditions;

automatically suspending normal call processing upon receipt of said first electrical signal and transferring call handling to said switch;

generating a second electrical signal prompting said subscriber to select said Automatic Recall or Automatic Callback Services; and

automatically invoking said Automatic Recall or Automatic Callback Services if selected by said subscriber.