Method and apparatus for searching a plurality of destination numbers

• US 5,933,487 A
• Filed: 03/06/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Strickland, David
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US08/813,833
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/209, 379/381
• US Class Current: 379/209.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving call connection to one of a plurality of destination numbers on a calling list is disclosed. The method involves monitoring the inband signals between an interrogating mobile switching center and a remote node during call setup procedures. An inband monitoring device looks for terminating signals indicating that call setup to the remote nodes will not be completed. Upon detection of such a termination signal, the call setup procedure is immediately discontinued without waiting for expiration of a call answer timeout period.

Claims

1. A method for improving call connection to a calling list, comprising the steps of:

initiating a call to one of a plurality of destination numbers on a calling list;

monitoring inband signals during call setup for an inband signal indicating call setup cannot be completed; and

aborting the call setup if the inband signal indicates the call setup cannot be completed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring comprises the step of monitoring the inband signal during call setup for a busy tone.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of aborting the call setup comprises the step of aborting the call setup if the busy tone is detected.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring comprises the step of monitoring the inband signal during call setup for a congestion tone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of aborting the call setup comprises the step of aborting the call setup if the congestion tone is detected.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring comprises the step of monitoring the inband signal during call setup for special information tones.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of aborting the call setup comprises the step of aborting the call setup if the special information tones are detected.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring comprises the step of monitoring the inband signal during call setup for any one of a busy tone, a congestion tone, or special information tones.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of aborting the call setup comprises the step of aborting the call setup if the inband signal includes at least one of the busy tone, the congestion tone or the special information tones.

10. The method of claim 1 further including the step actuating an inband signal monitoring device in response to receipt of a backward signal indicating interworking during call initiation.

11. The method of claim 1 further including the step actuating an inband signal monitoring device in response to a routing request during call initiation.

12. The method of claim 1 further including the step of actuating an inband signal monitoring device in response to a command from an HLR providing the plurality of destination numbers.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of aborting the call setup occurs prior to a call answer timeout period.

14. A method for improving call connection to one of a plurality of destination numbers on a calling list, comprising the steps of:

actuating an inband signal monitoring device in response to an attempted call setup with one of the plurality of destination numbers;

monitoring inband signals during call setup for tones indicating a busy signal, a congestion signal, and a special information signal; and

aborting the call setup if any one of the busy signal, congestion signal and special information signal are detected prior to termination of the call setup due to a call answer timeout period.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of actuating the inband signal monitoring device occurs in response to receipt of a backward indicating interworking signal during call initiation.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of actuating the inband signal monitoring device occurs in response to a routing command during call initiation.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of actuating the inband signal monitoring device occurs in response to a command from an HLR providing the plurality of destination numbers.

18. A system for improving call connection to one of a plurality of destination numbers on a calling list, comprising:

a switching center for initiating a call setup to the one of the plurality of destination number on the calling list; and

means for monitoring an inband signal to the switching center during call setup for a termination signal indicating call setup cannot be completed and terminating the call setup upon detection of the terminating signal, the means for monitoring responsive to initiation of call setup by the switching center.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the terminating signal comprises busy tones.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the terminating signal comprises congestion tones.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the terminating signal comprises special information tones.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the means for monitoring terminates call setup prior to a call answer timeout period if a termination signal is detected.