Communication apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transmitting calls generated by a first communication network over a second communication network to a third communication network, wherein the first communication network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol which enables call services, the third communication network operates in accordance with a communication protocol which enables at least one of the call services enabled by the first communication protocol and the second communication network operates according to a second communication protocol different to the first, said apparatus comprises means connected to the first communication network for determining whether a call to be routed from the first communication network to the third communication network via the second communication network includes a call service;
- means responsive to the means for determining to produce a data message compatible with the second communication protocol, said data message being indicative of the required service and means connected to said first and second communication networks to transmit the call and data message over the second communication network to the third communication network, wherein the data message is read by an element of the third communication network and an appropriate call service established.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for transmitting calls generated by a first communication network over a second communication network to a third communication network wherein the first communication network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol which enables call services, the third communication network operates in accordance with a communication protocol which enables at least one of the call services enabled by the first communication protocol and the second communication network operates according to a second communication protocol different from the first. The apparatus includes elements to determine whether a call to be routed from the first communication network to the third communication network by means of the second communication network requires a call service to produce a data message compatible with the second communication protocol indicative of the required service and to transmit the call and data message over the second communication network to the third communication network, where the data message is read and an appropriate call service established to the third communication network. By producing a data message compatible with the second protocol to carry the call service information it is possible to establish a call service over a communications network even though that network does not explicitly support the call service.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transmitting calls generated by a first communication network over a second communication network to a third communication network, wherein the first communication network operates in accordance with a first communication protocol which enables call services, the third communication network operates in accordance with a communication protocol which enables at least one of the call services enabled by the first communication protocol and the second communication network operates according to a second communication protocol different to the first, said apparatus comprises means connected to the first communication network for determining whether a call to be routed from the first communication network to the third communication network via the second communication network includes a call service;
- means responsive to the means for determining to produce a data message compatible with the second communication protocol, said data message being indicative of the required service and means connected to said first and second communication networks to transmit the call and data message over the second communication network to the third communication network, wherein the data message is read by an element of the third communication network and an appropriate call service established.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A communications network comprising at least two local networks;
- a third network connected between the local networks for routing of calls between the local networks, the local networks operating in accordance with a first protocol enabling call services and the third network operating in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol; and
means associated with each local network for routing calls originating on an associated local network over the third network to another means for routing associated with another local network, each means for routing including means for determining from data on an associated local network whether a service call is required and for transmitting over the third network a data message compatible with the second protocol, said data message containing data indicative of the required service and each means for routing including means to read data messages to determine the required service call and to produce a data message on the associated local network according to the first protocol to establish the required call service.
- a third network connected between the local networks for routing of calls between the local networks, the local networks operating in accordance with a first protocol enabling call services and the third network operating in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol; and
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6. A communication method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a call configured according to a first communications protocol, wherein the call includes a requirement for at least one call service enabled by the first communications protocol;
producing at least one data message including data representative of the call service wherein the data message is compatible with a second protocol;
transmitting the data message over a communications network operating according to the second protocol;
receiving the data message after transmission over the communications network and establishing the required call service represented by the data message with a further communications network, said further communications network operating in accordance with a communications protocol which enables the call service enabled by the first communications protocol. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
- receiving a call configured according to a first communications protocol, wherein the call includes a requirement for at least one call service enabled by the first communications protocol;
Specification