Method for updating a local switch internal database in a system having different service providers within a common numbering plan area

• US 5,949,867 A
• Filed: 08/07/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Company KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Sonnenberg, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/908,292
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114, 379/112, 379/201, 379/207, 379/127, 379/211, 379/219, 379/220, 379/221, 379/229, 379/265, 379/115, 379/210, 379/242, 379/243, 379/212
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• 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 3/42297 with number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13149 Change of provider, e.g. network or service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13542 numbering plans, e.g. number re-allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors

Abstract

A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber. The call is routed as SPA-NXX-XXXX. Because the ten digit format, SPA-NXX-XXXX, is the same as the present NPA-NXX-XXXX, ten digit format, existing signaling and routing mechanisms may be used to route the call. Thus, each one of the Subscribers of each one of the plurality of Local Service Providers is assigned a common SPA code, each one of the Local Service Providers having a different SPA code.

Claims

1. A method for routing a call to a called Subscriber having been assigned a directory number NPA-NXX-XXXX, and having moved to a different location where the Subscriber is served by a call routing number NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscriber comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a database distributed among a plurality of local switch internal databases, the database storing relationships between directory numbers assigned to Subscribers and call routing numbers NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscribers;

(b) converting, in one of the local switch internal databases a dialed number, NXX-XXXX, of said called, moved Subscriber into a call routing number NYY-YYYY assigned to said called, moved subscriber; and

(c) routing the call using the call routing number NYY-YYYY.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the relationships in the database are distributed among the plurality of local switch internal databases such that directory numbers having a common NPA-NXX are stored in one of the plurality of local switch databases.

3. A method for routing a call to a Subscriber having been assigned a directory number NXX-XXXX by one Local Service Provider and having changed to a different Local Service Provider, both Local Service Providers providing service within a common Local Access and Transport Area (LATA), and wherein the Subscriber has moved to a different location where the Subscriber is served by a call routing number NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscriber comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an External Local Number Portability Database comprising a plurality of local switch databases, the External Local Number Portability Database storing;

(i) relationships between NXX-XXXX directory numbers assigned to Subscribers within a Numbering Plan Area (NPA) in the common LATA who have changed to another Local Service Provider within the same or a different NPA in the common LATA, and call routing identifiers, SPAs, associated with the directory numbers, NXX-XXXX;

(ii) relationships between the directory numbers NXX-XXXX assigned to the Subscribers and call routing numbers NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscribers where;

SPA is a three digit Service Provider Area (SPA) code assigned to each one of the Local Service Providers within a common LATA, each one of the Local Service Providers being assigned a different Service Provider Area (SPA) code in each Numbering Plan Area (NPA) in the common LATA; and

,

NXX is a three digit designation code representative of an exchange area within the Numbering Plan Area (NPA), and

the relationships in the External Local Number Portability Database are distributed among the plurality of local switch databases;

(b) converting, in the Local Number Portability Database, a dialed number, NXX-XXXX, of a called one of the Subscribers into a converted number SPA-NYY-YYYY; and

(c) routing the call using the converted number, SPA-NYY-YYYY.

4. The method recited in claim 3 wherein the relationships in the External Local Number Portability Database are distributed among the plurality of local switch databases such that directory numbers having a common NPA-NXX are stored in one of the plurality of local switch databases.

5. A method for routing a call to a Subscriber having been assigned a directory number NXX-XXXX by one Local Service Provider and having changed to a different Local Service Provider, and wherein the Subscriber has moved to a different location where the Subscriber is served by a call routing number NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscriber comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an External Local Number Portability Database comprising a plurality of local switch databases, the External Local Number Portability Database storing;

(i) relationships between NXX-XXXX directory numbers assigned to Subscribers within a Numbering Plan Area (NPA) who have changed to another Local Service Provider, and call routing identifiers, SPAs, associated with the directory numbers, NXX-XXXX;

(ii) relationships between the directory numbers NXX-XXXX assigned to the Subscribers and call routing numbers NYY-YYYY assigned to the Subscribers where;

SPA is a three digit Service Provider Area (SPA) code assigned to each one of the Local Service Providers, each one of the Local Service Providers being assigned a different Service Provider Area (SPA) code in a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA); and

,

NXX is a three digit designation code representative of an exchange area within the Numbering Plan Area (NPA), and

the relationships in the External Local Number Portability Database are distributed among the plurality of local switch databases;

(b) converting, in the Local Number Portability Database, a dialed number, NXX-XXXX, of a called one of the Subscribers into a converted number SPA-NYY-YYYY; and

(c) routing the call using the converted number, SPA-NYY-YYYY.

6. The method recited in claim 5 wherein the relationships in the External Local Number Portability Database are distributed among the plurality of local switch databases such that directory numbers having a common NPA-NXX are stored in one of the plurality of local switch databases.