Advanced intelligent network access by customer premise equipment

• US 5,526,413 A
• Filed: 04/17/1995
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Farris, Robert D., Curry, James E., Cheston, Frank C. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/423,254
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/207, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/216, 379/220, 379/219, 379/221, 379/230, 379/265, 379/5, 379/67, 379/242, 379/112, 379/269
• US Class Current: 379/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0471 Terminal access circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/09 Subscriber related equipment; Analog terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/093 Personal computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13517 SLEE - service logic execution
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13526 resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

Telecommunications calls exchanged between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a switched telephone network receive advanced intelligent network (AIN) treatment within the CPE and within the network. The overall processing operations are coordinated and integrated so that the CPE can draw upon the network for information and resources and the network can draw upon the CPE. An AIN architecture is employed in the CPE and in the network, and the signaling systems are interfaced to permit an exchange of signaling messages. Detection of a trigger event in the CPE, or by an AIN switch in the network, causes the call control unit detecting the trigger to formulate a request message soliciting information or a support action for the call processing to be continued. Because the signaling systems are interfaced, the request message, originating either within the CPE or within the network, can be directed to a service logic provider either within the CPE or within the network (e.g., an AIN integrated service control point, or ISCP). The request message may call for routing or other information, or it may express a need for support resources (e.g., a request that a voice announcement unit be made available). The required resource may be sought in the CPE or in the network. The service logic provider carries out a service logic program to produce the information required to continue processing, and that is forwarded to the requesting call control unit by way of the interconnected signaling systems, to continue the call processing.

Claims

1. For use in connection with customer premise equipment (CPE) deployed to handle telecommunications calls exchanged with a switched telecommunications network of the type having a signaling system and a network service logic provider operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, a system for integrating and coordinating operations in support of the calls, comprising:

(a) a CPE service logic provider operative to perform CPE service logic programs and to provide results from the performance of any one of said CPE service logic programs in a CPE response signal;

(b) a CPE call control means for processing the telecommunications calls within the CPE and operative in processing each call to (i) detect at least one CPE processing condition that requires performance of one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call, and to (ii) generate a CPE request signal calling for performance of said service logic program;

(c) a CPE signaling system by which signals are conveyed within the CPE; and

(d) a signaling interface for compatibly interconnecting the CPE signaling system with the signaling system of the switched telecommunications network;

whereby (i) if the required service logic program for the call being processed is to be performed in the CPE service logic provider, then the CPE request signal is directed to the CPE service logic provider, and (ii) if the required service logic program for the call being processed is to be performed in the network service logic provider, then the CPE request signal is directed to the network service logic provider.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the network service logic provider is operative to provide results from its performance of any one of said network service logic programs in a network response signal, and wherein the CPE call control means is operative to receive the response signals from the CPE service logic provider and from the network service logic provider by way of the signaling interface and the CPE signaling system and upon receipt of the CPE response signal or the network response signal for the call being processed to continue processing that call.

3. The system of claim 2 further including a network call control means for processing the telecommunications calls within the network and operative in processing each call to (i) detect at least one network processing condition that requires performance of another one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call, and to (ii) generate a network request signal calling for performance of the other service logic program, and whereby, if the required other service logic program for the call being processed is to be performed in the CPE service logic provider, then the network request signal is directed to the CPE service logic provider by way of the signaling interface.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the network call control means is operative to receive the response signals from the CPE service logic provider and from the network service logic provider and upon receipt of the CPE response signal or the network response signal for the call being processed to continue processing that call.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable by the CPE call control means is a need for information for use by the CPE in controlling the call, including routing thereof, and wherein the response signal received by the CPE call control means includes that information.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the network processing condition detectable by the network call control means is a need for information for use by the network in controlling the call, including routing thereof, and wherein the response signal received by the network call control means includes that information.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the CPE call control means is operative to detect as CPE processing conditions (i) a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE in processing the call, and (ii) a need for information for use by the CPE in controlling the call;

and wherein the network call control means is programmed to detect as network processing conditions (iii) a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the network in processing the call, and (iv) a need for information for use by the network in controlling the call.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein if condition (i) is detected, then the service logic program performed provides CPE directions for accessing an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE and the response signal received by the CPE call control means includes said CPE directions;

wherein if condition (ii) is detected, then the response signal received by the CPE call control means includes the information needed by the CPE;

wherein if condition (iii) is detected, then the other service logic program performed provides network directions for accessing an auxiliary resource for use by the network and the response signal received by the network call control means includes said network directions; and

wherein if condition (iv) is detected, then the response signal received by the network call control means includes the information needed by the network.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is located within the network, and wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the network in processing the call is located within the CPE.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the CPE call control means is included in a private branch exchange (PBX) and the network call control means is a telecommunications switch located in a central office of the network and wherein the PBX is interconnected to the central office.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is an adjunct device accessible by the telecommunications switch.

12. The system of claim 4 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable by the CPE call control means is a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE in processing the call, wherein the required service logic program provides directions for accessing that auxiliary resource, and wherein the response signal received by the CPE call control means includes an indication that the need for such an auxiliary resource has been met.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is located within the network.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the network processing condition detectable by the network call control means is a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the network in processing the call, wherein the required other service logic program provides directions for accessing that auxiliary resource, and wherein the response signal received by the network call control means includes an indication that the need for such an auxiliary resource has been met.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the network in processing the call is located within the CPE.

16. A method for integrating and coordinating call processing operations conducted in support of a telecommunications call between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a telecommunications network of the type having a signaling system by which signaling messages are exchanged with various network service providers, comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting a CPE processing condition calling for performance of a supporting action productive of results required for conducting at least a portion of said call processing operations;

(b) formulating a CPE request signaling message for requesting performance of the supporting action;

(c) if the supporting action is to be performed within the CPE, then forwarding the CPE request signaling message to a CPE service provider having a capability for causing said supporting action to be performed, said CPE service provider being accessible by a CPE signaling system;

(d) if the supporting action is to be performed without the CPE, then forwarding the CPE request signaling message to a selected one of the network service providers having a capability for causing said supporting action to be performed, said network service provider being accessible by the CPE signaling system and the network signaling system;

(e) causing the supporting action to be performed by the service provider that receives the CPE request signaling message for production of said results;

(f) formulating a response message indicating said results and forwarding said response message to the CPE; and

(g) using said results for conducting said portion of said call processing operations.

17. The method of claim 16 including the further steps of:

(h) detecting a network processing condition calling for performance of another supporting action productive of other results required for conducting at least another portion of said call processing operations;

(i) formulating a network request signaling message for requesting performance of said other supporting action;

(j) if the other supporting action is to be performed within the CPE, then forwarding the network request signaling message to a CPE service provider having a capability for causing said other supporting action to be performed;

(k) if the other supporting action is to be performed without the CPE, then forwarding the network request signaling message to a selected one of the network service providers having a capability for causing said other supporting action to be performed;

(l) causing the other supporting action to be performed by the service provider that receives the network request signaling message for production of said other results;

(m) formulating a response message indicating said other results and forwarding said response message to the network; and

(n) using said results for conducting said other portion of said call processing operations.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein steps (b) through (g) are performed only if a processing condition is detected in step (a) calling for performance of a supporting action.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein:

the CPE processing condition detectable in step (a) and the network processing condition detectable in step (h) are each selected from the group consisting of (i) a need for call control information, and (ii) a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations;

the supporting action of step (a) is a determination of said call control information if (i) is the CPE processing condition detected, and a determination of directions for obtaining said supporting resource if (ii) is the CPE processing condition detected; and

the other supporting action of step (h) is a determination of said call control information if (i) is the network processing condition detected, and a determination of directions for obtaining said supporting resource if (ii) is the network processing condition detected.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable in step (a) is a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations, and the supporting action includes incorporation of said supporting resource in said portion of said call processing operations, and wherein the results indicated in the response message forwarded to the CPE are a signal that the supporting resource has been so incorporated.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the network processing condition detectable in step (h) is a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations, and the other supporting action includes incorporation of said supporting resource in said other portion of said call processing operations, and wherein the results indicated in the response message forwarded to the network are a signal that the supporting resource has been so incorporated.

22. For use in an arrangement wherein telecommunications are exchanged between a switched telecommunications network and customer premise equipment (CPE) and wherein ancillary signaling messages are exchangeable between a signaling system of the CPE and a signaling system of the switched telecommunications network, a system for integrating and coordinating certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications, comprising:

(a) a CPE signal transfer point disposed for receiving query messages from the CPE by way of the CPE signaling system and for receiving query messages from the network by way of the network signaling system and for redirecting said received query messages, at least some of said query messages eliciting information needed for furtherance of said operations;

(b) a CPE service logic provider disposed for receiving query messages directed to it from the CPE signal transfer point, said service logic provider being operative in response to a received query message to obtain the information elicited by that message, to formulate a corresponding CPE response message containing said information, and to send said CPE response message to the CPE signal transfer point, said CPE service logic provider being connected to the signal transfer point by the CPE signaling system;

(c) a network signal transfer point disposed for receiving query messages from the network by way of the network signaling system and for receiving query messages from the CPE by way of the CPE signaling system and for redirecting said received query messages, at least some of said query message eliciting information needed for furtherance of said operations;

(d) a network service logic provider disposed for receiving query messages directed to it from the network signal transfer point, said service logic provider being operative in response to a received query message to obtain the information elicited by that message, to formulate a corresponding network response message containing said information, and to send said network response message to the network signal transfer point, said network service logic provider being connected to the network signal transfer point by the network signaling system;

(e) wherein the CPE signal transfer point is further disposed for receiving said CPE response messages from the CPE service logic provider and for directing each CPE response message containing information needed for operations to be performed in the CPE to the CPE and for directing each response message containing information needed for operations to be performed in the network to the network; and

(f) wherein the network signal transfer point is further disposed for receiving said network response messages from the network service logic provider and for directing each network response message containing information needed for operations to be performed in the network to the network and for directing each network response message containing information needed for operations to be performed in the CPE to the CPE.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the information obtainable by the CPE service logic provider includes information relating to first auxiliary resources for use in said operations, wherein at least one of the query messages received by the CPE service logic provider elicits directions for use of at least some of said first auxiliary resources, and wherein a CPE response message corresponding to said query message includes said directions.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the information obtainable by the network service logic provider includes information relating to second auxiliary resources for use in said operations, wherein at least one of the query messages received by the network service logic provider elicits directions for use of at least some of said second auxiliary resources, and wherein a network response message corresponding to said query message includes said directions.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the information obtainable by the CPE service logic provider includes information relating to control and routing of the telecommunications exchanged and the information included in at least one of the CPE response messages includes at least some of said information when a query message to which that CPE response message corresponds elicits said information.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the information obtainable by the network service logic provider includes other information relating to control and routing of the telecommunications exchanged and the information included in at least one of the network response messages includes at least some of said information when a query message to which the network response corresponds elicits said information.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the CPE service logic provider is operative to perform CPE service logic programs for obtaining the information elicited by query messages received by the CPE service logic provider and wherein the network logic service provider is operative to perform network service logic programs for obtaining the information elicited by query messages received by the network service logic provider.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the CPE includes a private branch exchange (PBX) and said PBX is arranged to receive at least some of the response messages directed to the CPE from the CPE signal transfer point, and wherein the network includes a telecommunications switch and said switch is arranged to receive at least some of the response messages directed to the network from the network signal transfer point.

29. The system of 28 wherein at least some of the query messages received by the network signal transfer point originate in the PBX and wherein at least some of the query messages received by the CPE signal transfer point originate in the telecommunications switch.

30. For use in processing a telecommunications call between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a switched telecommunications network of the type having a network signaling system and a network service provider productive of information which may be required for use in the processing of the call, a system for integrating and coordinating operations between the CPE and the network in support of the call, comprising:

(a) a CPE service provider for production of other information which may be required for use in the processing of the call;

(b) a CPE call control means for conducting at least a part of the processing of the call within the CPE, said call control means being operative (i) to detect a CPE processing condition requiring supplemental information in order to continue its processing of the call, and (ii) to generate a CPE request signaling message calling for the supplemental information;

(c) a CPE signaling system for conveying signaling messages within the CPE, said CPE signaling system interconnecting the CPE call control means and the CPE service provider; and

(d) a signaling interface for interconnecting the CPE signaling system with the network signaling system and whereby the supplemental information may be obtained from the CPE service provider and the network service provider, and whereby (i) if the supplemental information is to be obtained from the CPE service provider, then the CPE request signaling message is passed to the CPE service provider, and (ii) if the supplemental information is to be obtained from the network service provider, then the CPE request signaling message is passed to the network service provider.

31. The system of claim 30 further including:

a network call control means for conducting at least a part of the processing of the call within the network, said call control means being operative (i) to detect a network processing condition requiring other supplemental information in order to continue its processing of the call, and (ii) to generate a network request signaling message calling for the other supplemental information;

whereby, if the other supplemental information is to be obtained from the CPE service provider, then the network request signaling message is passed to the CPE service provider by way of the signaling interface.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein:

the CPE service provider is operative to provide a CPE response signaling message containing the supplemental information or the other supplemental information, depending on whether the CPE response signaling message is in response to the CPE request signaling message or the network request signaling message, respectively;

the network service provider is operative to provide a network response signaling message containing the supplemental information or the other supplemental information, depending on whether the network response message is in response to the CPE request signaling message or the network request signaling message, respectively;

the CPE response signaling message is passed to the CPE call control means if it is in response to the CPE request signaling message and to the network call control means if it is in response to the network request signaling message;

the network response signaling message is passed to the CPE call control means if it is in response to the CPE request signaling message and to the network call control means if it is in response to the network request signaling message; and

each call control means is operative to continue its processing of the call upon receipt of either response signaling message.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein:

the CPE processing condition detectable by the CPE call control means is selected from the group consisting of (i) a need for use by the CPE of an auxiliary resource and directions for accessing that auxiliary resource in the processing of the call, and (ii) a need for call control information; and

wherein the network processing condition detectable by the network call control means is selected from the group consisting of (iii) a need for use by the network of an auxiliary resource and directions for accessing that auxiliary resource in the processing of the call, and (iv) a need for call control information; and

if condition (i) is met, the supplemental information received by the CPE call control means provides said directions;

if condition (ii) is met, the supplemental information received by the CPE call control means provides said call control information;

if condition (iii) is met, the other supplemental information received by the network call control means provides said directions; and

if condition (iv) is met, the other supplemental information received by the network call control means provides said call control information.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the CPE call control means is a PBX, the network call control means is a telecommunications switch, and the signaling interface includes a signal transfer point within the CPE interconnected by a data link to a signaling transfer point within the network.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for processing the call is selected from the group consisting of a conference bridge, voice recognition equipment, and an announcement unit.

36. The system of claim 33 wherein the CPE service provider is a computer programmed to perform logic service programs for the production of said supplemental information and other supplemental information, the CPE call control means is a computer programmed to perform a call control function, the CPE signaling system includes a local area network (LAN) interconnecting the computers, the network call control means is a telecommunications switch, and the signaling interface includes an out-of-band signaling connection between the computer providing the call control means and the switch.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for processing the call is selected from the group consisting of a conference bridge, voice recognition equipment, and an announcement unit.

38. The system of claim 37 herein the out-of-band signaling connection is the D-channel of an ISDN connection.

39. For use in an arrangement wherein telecommunications are exchanged between a switched telecommunications network and customer premise equipment (CPE) and wherein ancillary signaling messages are exchangeable between a signaling system of the customer premise equipment and a signaling system of the switched telecommunications network through at least one signal transfer point, a method for integrating and coordinating certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications, comprising the steps of:

(a) at said at least one signal transfer point, receiving at least one query message eliciting a response message having information content required for furtherance of said operations, said information content to be determined from performance of a service logic program;

(b) if the service logic program is to be performed in the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider within the CPE for performing the service logic program;

(c) if the service logic program is to be performed outside the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider outside the CPE for performing the service logic program;

(d) generating the response message by the service logic provider to which the query message is passed, said response message providing said information content for use in performance of at least a part of said operations;

(e) if that part of the operations are to be performed in the CPE, then sending the response message to an element of the CPE; and

(f) if that part of the operations are to be performed outside of the CPE, then sending the response message to an element outside of the CPE.

40. The method of claim 39 including the further step of:

(g) performing that part of the operations to which the response message pertains, using the information contained in the response message for such performance.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications require a series of sub-operations for completion and wherein to provide such sub-operations steps (a) through (g) are repeated until said certain operations are complete.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein in step (b) the query message is passed to the service logic provider of the CPE by way of the CPE signaling system, and in step (c) the query message is passed to the service logic provider outside the CPE by way of the signaling system of the switched telephone network.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein the query message is received from the CPE.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein the query message is received from outside the CPE.

45. The method of claim 40 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls, and the query message is a request for information for controlling a call and the response message provides such information.

46. The method of claim 40 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls, and the query message is a request for an assignment of available resources required for processing a call.

47. A method for integrating and coordinating call processing operations conducted in support of a telecommunications call placed between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a telecommunications network of the type having a signaling system by which signaling messages are exchanged with various network service providers, comprising the steps of:

(a) if a CPE processing condition occurs that requires performance of a supporting action productive of results required for conducting at least a portion of the call processing operations to be carried out within the CPE, then performing substeps including the following;

(i) formulating a CPE request signaling message for requesting performance of the supporting action;

(ii) if the supporting action is to be performed within the CPE, then forwarding the CPE request signaling message to a CPE service provider having a capability for causing said supporting action to be performed;

(iii) if the supporting action is to be performed without the CPE, then forwarding the CPE request signaling message to a selected one of the network service providers having a capability for causing said supporting action to be performed;

(iv) causing the supporting action to be performed by the service provider that receives the CPE request signaling message and determining the results of said supporting action;

(v) formulating a response message indicating said results and forwarding said response message to the CPE; and

(vi) using said results in furtherance of said call processing operations to be carried out within the CPE; and

(b) if a network processing condition occurs that requires performance of another supporting action productive of results required for conducting at least a portion of the call processing operations to be carried out within the network, then performing substeps including the following;

(i) formulating a network request signaling message for requesting performance of said other supporting action;

(ii) if the other supporting action is to be performed within the CPE, then forwarding the network request signaling message to a CPE service provider having a capability for causing said other supporting action to be performed;

(iii) if the other supporting action is to be performed without the CPE, then forwarding the network request signaling message to a selected one of the network service providers having a capability for causing said other supporting action to be performed;

(iv) causing the other supporting action to be performed by the service provider that receives the network request signaling message and determining the results of said other supporting action;

(v) formulating a response message indicating said results and forwarding said response message to the network; and

(vi) using said results in furtherance of said call processing operations to be carried out within the network.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the CPE processing condition detectable in step (a) and the network processing condition detectable in step (b) are each selected from the group consisting of (A) a need for call control information, and (B) a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations;

the supporting action of step (a) is a determination of said call control information if (A) is the CPE processing condition detected, and a determination of directions for obtaining said supporting resource if (B) is the CPE processing condition detected; and

the other supporting action of step (b) is a determination of said call control information if (A) is the network processing condition detected, and a determination of directions for obtaining said supporting resource if (B) is the network processing condition detected.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable in step (a) is a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations, and the supporting action includes incorporation of said supporting resource in said portion of said call processing operations, and wherein the results indicated in the response message forwarded to the CPE are a signal that the supporting resource has been so incorporated.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the network processing condition detectable in step (b) is a need for a supporting resource for use in said call processing operations, and the other supporting action includes incorporation of said supporting resource in said other portion of said call processing operations, and wherein the results indicated in the response message forwarded to the network are a signal that the supporting resource has been so incorporated.

51. For use in an arrangement wherein telecommunications are exchanged between a switched telecommunications network and customer premise equipment (CPE) and wherein ancillary signaling messages are exchangeable between a CPE signaling system and a network signaling system through at least one signaling transfer point, a method for integrating and coordinating certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications, comprising the steps of:

(a) at said at least one signal transfer point, receiving a query message to which a response message is required for furtherance of said operations;

(b) if the response message is to be determined by service logic performed in the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider of the CPE;

(c) if the response message is to be determined by service logic performed outside the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider outside of the CPE;

(d) generating the response message by the service logic provider to which the query message is passed, said response message including information for use in performance of at least a part of said operations;

(e) if that part of the operations are to be performed in the CPE, then sending the response message to an operative element of the CPE; and

(f) if that part of the operations are to be performed outside of the CPE, then sending the response message to an operative element outside of the CPE.

52. The method of claim 51 including the further step of:

(g) performing that part of the operations to which the response message pertains, using the information contained in the response message for such performance.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications require a series of sub-operations for completion and wherein to provide such sub-operations steps (a) through (f) are repeated until said operations are complete.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein the query message is received from the CPE.

55. The method of claim 52 wherein the query message is received from outside the CPE.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein in step (b) the query message is passed to the service logic provider of the CPE by way of the CPE signaling system, and in step (c) the query message is passed to the service logic provider outside the CPE by way of the signaling system of the switched telephone network.

57. The method of claim 52 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls and the query message is a request for information for controlling a call and the response message provides such information.

58. The method of claim 52 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls and the query message is a request for an assignment of available resources required for processing a call.

59. In connection with customer premise equipment (CPE) deployed to handle telecommunications calls exchanged with a telecommunications network having advanced intelligent networking (AIN) capabilities, including therefor a common channel signaling (CCS) system and an integrated service control point (ISCP) operative to perform certain service programs the results of which are used to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, a system for integrating and coordinating operations in support of the calls, comprising:

(a) a CPE service control point (CPE SCP) operative within the CPE to perform SCP service programs and to provide results from the performance of any one of said SCP service logic programs in a CPE response signaling message;

(b) a CPE service switching point (CPE SSP) for processing the telecommunications calls within the CPE and operative in processing each call to (i) detect at least one CPE processing condition that requires performance of one of said service programs in order to continue the processing for the call, and to (ii) generate a CPE request signaling message calling for performance of said service program;

(c) a CPE signaling system by which signaling messages are conveyed within the CPE; and

(d) a CPE signal transfer point (CPE STP) for compatibly interconnecting the CPE signaling system with the CCS system of the network whereby (i) if the required service program for the call being processed is to be performed in the CPE SCP then the CPE request signaling message is directed to the CPE SCP, and (ii) if the required service program for the call being processed is to be performed in the ISCP, then the CPE request signaling message is directed to the ISCP.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the ISCP is operative to provide the results from its performance of any one of said ISCP service programs in a network response message, and wherein the CPE SSP is operative to receive the response signaling messages from the CPE SCP and from the ISCP by way of the CPE STP and the CPE signaling system and upon receipt of the CPE response signaling message or the network response signaling message for the call being processed to continue processing that call.

61. The system of claim 60 further including a network service switching point (SSP) for processing the telecommunications calls within the network and operative in processing each call to (i) detect at least one network processing condition that requires performance of another one of said service programs in order to continue processing for the call, and to (ii) generate a network request signaling message calling for performance of the other service program, and whereby, if the required other service program for the call being processed is to be performed in the CPE SCP, then the network request signaling message is directed to the CPE SCP provider by way of the CPE STP.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein the network SSP is operative to receive response signaling messages from the CPE SCP and from the ISCP and upon receipt of the CPE response signaling message or the network response signaling message for the call being processed to continue processing that call.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable by the CPE SSP is a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE in processing the call, wherein the required service program provides CPE directions for accessing that auxiliary resource, and wherein the response signaling message received by the CPE SSP includes said CPE directions.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is located within the network.

65. The system of claim 63 wherein the network processing condition detectable by the network SSP is a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the network in processing the call, wherein the required other service program provides network directions for accessing that auxiliary resource, and wherein the response signaling message received by the network SSP includes said network directions.

66. The system of claim 65 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the network in processing the call is located within the CPE.

67. The system of claim 62 wherein the CPE processing condition detectable by the CPE SSP is a need for information for use by the CPE in controlling the call and wherein the response signaling message received by the CPE SSP includes that information.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein the network processing condition detectable by the network SSP is a need for information for use by the network in controlling the call and wherein the response signaling message received by the network SSP includes that information.

69. The system of claim 62 wherein the CPE SSP is programmed to detect as CPE processing conditions (i) a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE in processing the call, and (ii) a need for information for use by the CPE in controlling the call;

and wherein the network SSP is programmed to detect as network processing conditions (iii) a need for an auxiliary resource for use by the network in processing the call, and (iv) a need for information for use by the network in controlling the call.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein if condition (i) is met, then the service program performed provides directions for accessing an auxiliary resource for use by the CPE and the response signaling message received by the CPE SSP includes an indication that the need for such an auxiliary resource has been satisfied;

wherein if condition (ii) is met, then the response signaling message received by the CPE SSP includes the information needed by the CPE;

wherein if condition (iii) is met, then the other service program performed provides directions for accessing an auxiliary resource for use by the network and the response signaling message received by the network SSP includes an indication that the need for such an auxiliary resource has been satisfied; and

wherein if condition (iv) is met, then the response signaling message received by the network SSP includes the information needed by the network.

71. The system of claim 70 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is located within the network, and wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the network in processing the call is located within the CPE.

72. The system of claim 71 wherein the CPE SSP is included in a private branch exchange (PBX) and the network SSP is a telecommunications switch located in a central office of the network and wherein the PBX is interconnected to the central office.

73. The system of claim 72 wherein the auxiliary resource needed for use by the CPE in processing the call is an adjunct device accessible by the telecommunications switch.

74. For use in an arrangement wherein telecommunications are exchanged between a switched telecommunications network and customer premise equipment (CPE) and wherein ancillary signaling messages are exchangeable between a CPE signaling system and a network signaling system, a method for integrating and coordinating certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications, comprising the steps of:

(a) at a signal transfer point of the CPE signaling system, receiving a query message to which a response message is required for furtherance of said operations;

(b) if the response message is to be determined by service logic performed in the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider of the CPE;

(c) if the response message is to be determined by service logic performed outside the CPE, then passing the query message to a service logic provider outside of the CPE;

(d) generating the response message by the service logic provider to which the query message is passed, said response message including information for use in performance of at least a part of said operations;

(e) if that part of the operations are to be performed in the CPE, then sending the response message to an operative element of the CPE; and

(f) if that part of the operations are to be performed outside of the CPE, then sending the response message to an operative element outside of the CPE.

75. The method of claim 74 including the further step of:

(g) performing that part of the operations to which the response message pertains, using the information contained in the response message for such performance.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the certain operations conducted in support of said exchanged telecommunications require a series of sub-operations for completion and wherein to provide such sub-operations steps (a) through (g) are repeated until said operations are complete.

77. The method of claim 75 wherein the query message is received from the CPE.

78. The method of claim 75 wherein the query message is received from outside the CPE.

79. The method of claim 75 wherein in step (b) the query message is passed to the service logic provider of the CPE by way of the CPE signaling system, and in step (c) the query message is passed to the service logic provider outside the CPE by way of the signaling system of the switched telephone network.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls and the query message is a request for information for controlling a call and the response message provides such information.

81. The method of claim 79 wherein the telecommunications exchanged include telephone calls and the query message is a request for an assignment of available resources required for processing a call.