Network call trace
First Claim
1. A method for call tracing in a nodal network system having at least a first, second, and third interconnected nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting, from said first node to said second node, a first node identification (NID) list, said first NID list including therein a first NID;
(b) transmitting, from said second node to said third node, a second NID list, said second NID list including therein a second NID and said first NID; and
wherein said step (b) further comprises the step of;
responding to a call trace indication in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) of an Initial Address Message (IAM).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Network Call Trace (NCT) method and system enables a call path route to be traced in a telecommunications network. A Type of Digit (TOD) in the Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) for an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) command can be utilized to realize the NCT. A listing of Switch IDs (SIDs) from the originating subscriber'"'"'s switch to the terminating subscriber'"'"'s switch is provided so that routing inefficiencies can be discovered. In one embodiment, an Initial Address Message (IAM) is transmitted with a TOD Network Call Trace in the GDP. The NCT includes the SID of the originating switch. Any intermediate switches between the originating switch and the terminating switch likewise append their own SID onto the NCT list of SIDs. Finally, the terminating switch also adds its SID onto the end of the NCT list. This NCT list may then be transmitted and displayed for analysis. For example, it may be transmitted in a backward message such as address complete message (ACM), answer message (ANM), call progress (CPG), or release (REL) back to the originating switch via the network. Alternatively, the NCT list may be sent to a Network Management Center.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for call tracing in a nodal network system having at least a first, second, and third interconnected nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting, from said first node to said second node, a first node identification (NID) list, said first NID list including therein a first NID; (b) transmitting, from said second node to said third node, a second NID list, said second NID list including therein a second NID and said first NID; and wherein said step (b) further comprises the step of; responding to a call trace indication in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) of an Initial Address Message (IAM). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for call tracing in a nodal network system having at least a first, second, and third interconnected nodes, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting, from said first node to said second node, a first node identification (NID) list, said first NID list including therein a first NID; (b) transmitting, from said second node to said third node, a second NID list, said second NID list including therein a second NID and said first NID; (c) storing said second NID list in a memory in said second node; and (d) transmitting the stored second NID list when said second node receives a final backward message and still has not received another NID list.
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10. A network system for call tracing, said network system comprising:
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first, second, and third interconnected nodes having first, second, and third node identifications (NIDs), respectively; first transmission means for transmitting, from said first node to said second node, a first NID list, said first NID list including therein said first NID; second transmission means for transmitting, from said second node to said third node, a second NID list, said second NID list including therein said first and second NIDs; and wherein said second transmission means for transmitting further comprises; means for responding to a call trace indication in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) of an Initial Address Message (IAM). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A network system for call tracing, said network system comprising:
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first, second, and third interconnected nodes having first, second, and third node identifications (NIDs), respectively; first transmission means for transmitting, from said first node to said second node, a first NID list, said first NID list including therein said first NID; second transmission means for transmitting, from said second node to said third node, a second NID list, said second NID list including therein said first and second NIDs; a memory in said second node; means for storing said second NID list in said memory; and eighth transmission means for transmitting the stored second NID list when said second node receives a final backward message and still has not received another NID list.
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19. In a telecommunications system, a protocol extension for recording a path of a connection in said telecommunications system, said protocol extension comprising:
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means for communicating within said telecommunications system; means for effectuating a network call trace (NCT) along said path of said connection in said telecommunications system; and wherein; said means for communicating within said telecommunications system further comprises means for receiving and transmitting Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) messages; and said means for effectuating an NCT further comprises a type of digit (TOD) in a generic digits parameter (GDP). - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An electronically-executable command in a memory, said command comprising:
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means for recognizing a Network Call Trace (NCT) request; means for implementing at least part of an NCT request; and wherein; said means for recognizing an NCT request and said means for implementing at least part of an NCT request both interact with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) signaling; and said means for recognizing an NCT request further comprises means for analyzing a Type of Digit (TOD) in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP). - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for call tracing in a telecommunications switch, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) adding a switch identification (SID) to a SID list in conjunction with a call trace indication in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) of an Initial Address Message (IAM); and (b) transmitting said SID in said SID list as part of a call procedure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 27, 28)
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26. A method for call tracing in a telecommunications switch, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) adding a switch identification (SID) to a SID list; (b) transmitting said SID in said SID list as part of a call procedure; (c) receiving said SID list prior to said step (a) of adding; (d) storing said SID list in a memory; and (e) subsequently transmitting said SID list upstream in a backward message when said switch neither contemporaneously receives nor previously has received another SID list from a downstream switch.
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29. A telecommunications switch for call tracing, said telecommunications switch comprising:
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means for adding a switch identification (SID) to a SID list in conjunction with a call trace indication in a Generic Digits Parameter (GDP) of an Initial Address Message (IAM); and means for transmitting said SID in said SID list as part of a call procedure. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 33, 34)
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32. A telecommunications switch for call tracing, said telecommunications switch comprising:
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means for adding a switch identification (SID) to a SID list; means for transmitting said SID in said SID list as part of a call procedure; means for receiving said SID list, said means for receiving operating prior to said means for adding; memory means; means for storing said SID list in said memory means; and means for subsequently transmitting said SID list upstream in a backward message when said switch neither contemporaneously receives nor previously has received another SID list from a downstream switch.
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Specification