Method and system for dynamically assigning features and users to wireline interfaces

• US 5,974,331 A
• Filed: 04/04/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: U S West Inc.
• Inventors: Dougherty, Angus O., Cook, Charles I., Corliss, James R., Fargano, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US08/826,615
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 455/461, 455/435, 455/463, 455/31.3, 455/518, 455/519, 455/520, 455/526, 455/403, 455/417, 455/414, 455/31.1, 455/517, 379/201, 379/207, 379/208
• US Class Current: 455/461
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• 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 2213/13546 Intelligent Peripheral
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method and system for supporting wireless and/or wireline features of telecommunications subscribers utilizing existing wireline interfaces includes a processor for provisioning the wireline interfaces to support predetermined wireless and/or wireline features. A service logic, such as a Service Control Point (SCP), assigns the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by the subscriber. The processor is further operative to reprovision the wireline interfaces based on the number of subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces.

Claims

1. For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a method for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the method comprising:

provisioning each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features;

assigning each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and

dynamically reprovisioning any one of the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of pre-determined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers has a directory number assigned thereto for identifying the telecommunications subscriber and for identifying the wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber, and wherein provisioning the wireline interfaces further includes:

pooling each of the directory numbers subscribing to the same features into a corresponding feature group to form a plurality of feature groups; and

provisioning the wireline interfaces into a plurality of interface groups based on the plurality of feature groups so that each interface group supports one of the plurality of predetermined features.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein assigning each of the wireline interfaces includes:

determining the directory number of the subscriber; and

determining an unassigned wireline interface from one of the plurality of groups supporting the features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers further has a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) assigned thereto and wherein assigning the wireline interfaces includes determining the directory number based on the MIN.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein dynamically reprovisioning includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces in each of the plurality of groups with a threshold.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined maximum threshold.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined minimum threshold.

8. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein comparing includes comparing the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a varying threshold.

9. For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a system for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the system comprising:

a processor operative to provision each of the wireline interfaces to support one of the plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features;

service logic operative to assign each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and

wherein the processor is further operative to dynamically reprovision the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of predetermined features based on the number of subscribers currently assigned to each of the wireline interfaces and the corresponding features subscribed to by each of the subscribers.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of the wireless subscribers has a directory number assigned thereto for identifying the subscriber and for identifying the wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber, and wherein the processor, in provisioning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to pool each of the directory numbers subscribing to the same features into a corresponding feature group to form a plurality of feature groups and to provision the wireline interfaces into a plurality of interface groups based on the plurality of feature groups so that each interface group supports one of the plurality of predetermined features.

11. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the service logic, in assigning each of the wireline interfaces, is further operative to determine the directory number of the telecommunications subscriber and determine an unassigned wireline interface from one of the plurality of groups supporting the features subscribed to by the telecommunications subscriber.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein each of the telecommunications subscribers further has a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) assigned thereto and wherein the service logic, in assigning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to determine the directory number based on the MIN.

13. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the control logic, in dynamically reprovisioning the wireline interfaces, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces in each of the plurality of groups with a threshold.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined maximum threshold.

15. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a predetermined minimum threshold.

16. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the control logic, in comparing the number, is further operative to compare the number of telecommunications subscribers assigned to each of the plurality of groups with a varying threshold.