Advanced intelligent network interacting with customer premises equipment

• US 5,771,279 A
• Filed: 07/31/1995
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1995
• 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: Curry, James E., Farris, Robert D., Cheston, III, Frank C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/508,428
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 379/94, 379/96, 379/93, 379/201, 379/207, 379/269, 379/112, 379/219, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/216, 379/220, 379/221, 379/230, 379/93.17, 379/93.23, 379/93.25 , 379/93.14
• US Class Current: 379/93.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0037 involving call modelling techniques, e.g. modifications to the basic call state model [BCSM]

Abstract

Telecommunications calls exchanged between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a switched telephone network receive AIN treatment within the CPE and within the network. 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. A 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). In particular, the ISCP of the switched telephone network can be programmed by the customer premises equipment and vice versa to provide enhanced services. These may include a look ahead busy service in which a query is sent to determine whether equipment is busy before a communications call is connected.

Claims

1. A telecommunications network with customer premise equipment deployed to exchange telecommunications calls with a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, said network comprising:

a programmable database within the customer premises equipment for controlling communications between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network, storing service logic programs and providing results from the performance of any one of said service logic programs in a response signal;

call control circuitry for processing the telecommunications calls within the customer premises equipment, detecting at least one processing condition that requires performance of one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call, and generating a request signal calling for performance of said service logic programs;

a customer signaling system by which signals are conveyed within the customer premises equipment; and

a signaling interface for providing a connection between the customer signaling system and the signaling system of the public switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations are transmitted between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

said signaling information exchanged over the signaling interface providing for a look ahead busy determination between the customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network, including inquiring via said common channel signaling system whether a called terminal device in the customer premises equipment is busy, the public switched telephone network connecting the voice portion of the call to the customer premises equipment only upon learning that the called terminal device is not busy.

2. A telecommunications network with customer premise equipment deployed to exchange telecommunications calls with a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, said network comprising:

a programmable database within the customer premises equipment for controlling communications between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network, storing service logic programs and providing results from the performance of any one of said service logic programs in a response signal;

call control circuitry for processing the telecommunications calls within the customer premises equipment, detecting at least one processing condition that requires performance of one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call, and generating a request signal calling for performance of said service logic programs;

a customer signaling system by which signals are conveyed within the customer premises equipment; and

a signaling interface for providing a connection between the customer signaling system and the signaling system of the public switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations are transmitted between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

said signaling information exchanged over the signaling interface providing for a look ahead busy determination between the customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network, including inquiring via said common channel signaling system whether a called terminal device in the public switched telephone network is busy, said customer premises equipment connecting the voice portion of the call to the public switched telephone network only upon determination that the called terminal is not busy.

3. A method of operating a telecommunications network with customer premise equipment deployed to exchange telecommunications calls with a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, said method comprising the steps of:

programming a database within the customer premises equipment for controlling communications between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

storing a plurality of service logic programs in said integrated services control point and said database;

providing results from the performance of any one of said service logic programs in a response signal;

processing the telecommunications calls within the customer premises equipment;

detecting at least one processing condition that requires performance of one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call;

generating a request signal calling for performance of said service logic programs;

conveying signals within the customer premises equipment over a customer signaling system; and

providing a connection between the customer signaling system and the signaling system of the public switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations are transmitted between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network and relate to a look ahead busy determination between the customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

said look ahead busy determination being performed by inquiring via said common channel signaling system whether a called terminal device in the customer premises equipment is busy, and said public switched telephone network connecting a voice portion of the call to the customer premises equipment only upon learning that the called terminal device is not busy.

4. A method of operating a telecommunications network with customer premise equipment deployed to exchange telecommunications calls with a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate the provision of telecommunications services, said method comprising the steps of:

programming a database within the customer premises equipment for controlling communications between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

storing a plurality of service logic programs in said integrated services control point and said database;

providing results from the performance of any one of said service logic programs in a response signal;

processing the telecommunications calls within the customer premises equipment;

detecting at least one processing condition that requires performance of one of said service logic programs in order to continue processing for the call;

generating a request signal calling for performance of said service logic programs;

conveying signals within the customer premises equipment over a customer signaling system; and

providing a connection between the customer signaling system and the signaling system of the public switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations are transmitted between said customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network, and relate to a look ahead busy determination between the customer premises equipment and the public switched telephone network;

said look ahead busy determination being performed by inquiring via said common channel signaling system whether a called terminal device in the public switched network is busy, and said customer premises equipment connecting a voice portion of the call to the public switched telephone network only upon learning that the called terminal device is not busy.

5. A telecommunications system comprising:

a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate line status monitoring, inter-node switching system circuit connections, and information exchange services and features;

a customer premises equipment installation including multiple telecommunication terminals and call control logic, storage and circuitry operative to perform customer premises equipment and network service logic programs to facilitate on premises line status monitoring, on premises inter-node switching circuit connections, and on premises information exchange services and features for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network;

said customer premises equipment installation including a customer signaling system by which signals are conveyed within the customer premises equipment for effecting said control and information functions; and

a signaling interface for providing a connection between said customer signaling system and the signaling system of said switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations between said switched telephone network and said customer premises equipment installation are transmitted therebetween.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said call control logic, storage and circuitry operative to perform customer premises equipment and network service logic programs includes software and/or terminal devices providing common access to equipment in said customer premises installation and to said integrated services control point via the signaling interface.

7. A system according to claim 5 further comprising programming circuitry for commonly programming the programmable database and the integrated services control point via the signaling interface from the customer premises equipment.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein said call control logic, storage and circuitry effects programming of network control functions of said customer premises equipment installation and said public switched telephone network.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said programming includes provisioning.

10. A system according to claim 5 including in said customer premises equipment installation an integrated services control point implementing said call control logic, and storage to perform said customer premises equipment and network service logic programs.

11. A system according to claim 5 wherein said customer signaling system comprises a common channel signaling system.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said common channel signaling system includes a signal transfer point.

13. A telecommunications system comprising:

a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate line status monitoring, inter-node switching system circuit connections, and information exchange services and features;

a customer premises equipment installation including multiple telecommunication terminals and call control logic, storage and circuitry operative to perform customer premises equipment and network service logic programs to facilitate on premises line status monitoring, on premises inter-node switching circuit connections, and on premises information exchange services and features for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network;

said customer premises equipment installation including a customer signaling system by which signals are conveyed within the customer premises equipment for effecting said control and information functions; and

a signaling interface for providing a connection between said customer signaling system and the signaling system of said switched telephone network whereby control signals for coordinating and integrating operations between said switched telephone network and said customer premises equipment installation are transmitted therebetween, wherein connection of the voice portion of a call from said customers premises installation to said public switched telephone network is made only upon ascertaining that the called terminal device is not busy.

14. A method of operating a communications system which communication system comprises;

a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate line status monitoring, inter-node switching system circuit connections, and information exchange services and features;

a customer premises equipment installation including multiple telecommunication terminals connected to programmable switching means connected to said public switched telephone network, and a programmable processor having storage and providing control for a customer premises equipment signaling system controlling said programmable switching means;

said method comprising the steps of;

programming said programmable processor to perform customer premises equipment and network service logic programs to facilitate on premises line status monitoring, on premises inter-node switching circuit connections, and on premises information exchange services and features for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network;

pursuant to said processor programming receiving and responding via said customer premises equipment signaling system to signaling inquiries initiated in said common channel signaling system in said public switched telephone network and to signaling inquiries initiated in said customer premises equipment installation;

responsive to the responses to said inquiries by said processor initiating inter-node switching system circuit connections for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network.

15. A method of operating a communications system which communication system comprises;

a public switched telephone network having a common channel signaling system and an integrated services control point operative to perform network service logic programs to facilitate line status monitoring, inter-node switching system circuit connections, and information exchange services and features;

a customer premises equipment installation including multiple telecommunication terminals connected to programmable switching means connected to said public switched telephone network, and a programmable processor having storage and providing control for a customer premises equipment signaling system controlling said programmable switching means;

said method comprising the steps of;

programming said programmable processor to perform customer premises equipment and network service logic programs to facilitate on premises line status monitoring on premises inter-node switching circuit connections, and on premises information exchange services and features for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network;

pursuant to said processor programming receiving and responding via said customer premises equipment signaling system to signaling inquiries initiated in said common channel signaling system in said public switched telephone network and to signaling inquiries initiated in said customer premises equipment installation;

responsive to the responses to said inquiries by said processor initiating inter-node switching system circuit connections for processing telecommunications calls between said on premises telecommunication terminals and between said on premises telecommunication terminals and off premises telecommunications terminals connected to said public switched telephone network, and

establishing a voice circuit between said public switched telephone network and said customer premises equipment installation only after determining that the called terminal is not busy.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the called terminal is on said customers premises.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein the called terminal is off said customers premises.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein said programmable switching means comprises a private branch exchange (PBX).