Method and apparatus for signal mediation in a common channel signaling network
First Claim
1. A method of providing mediation access in a common channel signaling network at a signaling point having a transfer function, comprising the steps of:
- a) identifying a candidate message signal unit (MSU) that requires mediation among candidate signal units received on a linkset configured for mediation;
b) transferring said candidate message signal unit or a copy of the candidate message signal unit to an access mediation function;
c) receiving said candidate message signal unit or copies thereof at the access mediation function; and
d) performing an access mediation process on the candidate message signal unit or copies thereof at the access mediation function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for signal mediation in a common channel signaling network are described. The method involves identifying candidate message signal units that require mediation and transmitting the candidate signal unit to an associated mediation function which performs access mediation on the contents of the candidate signal unit. The access mediation function may return one or more data packets to the network. The apparatus includes the signal transfer point, the associated mediation function and enhanced functionality in the signal transfer point for screening candidate signal units. The advantage is a more flexible and easily managed signal mediation point that removes the bulk of signal mediation from the signal transfer point so that the signal transfer point can remain dedicated to its signal transfer function.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing mediation access in a common channel signaling network at a signaling point having a transfer function, comprising the steps of:
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a) identifying a candidate message signal unit (MSU) that requires mediation among candidate signal units received on a linkset configured for mediation; b) transferring said candidate message signal unit or a copy of the candidate message signal unit to an access mediation function; c) receiving said candidate message signal unit or copies thereof at the access mediation function; and d) performing an access mediation process on the candidate message signal unit or copies thereof at the access mediation function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A signaling mediation point for use in a common channel signaling network, comprising:
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a) a signaling point in the network having a transfer function and a screening function, the signaling point being connected to a plurality of signaling links on which data packets are received, and the signaling links are respectively selectively configured for mediation; b) an access mediation function for performing an access mediation process on selected data packets received by the signaling point on the signaling links configured for access mediation; c) means for transferring the data packets to be mediated to the access mediation function; and d) means for transferring data packets back from the access mediation function to the signaling point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for providing signaling mediation access in a common channel signaling network, comprising in combination:
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a signal transfer point connected to a plurality of signaling links in the common channel signaling network, the respective signaling links being selectively configured for signal mediation, the signal transfer point including an enhanced gateway screening function for determining whether a signaling unit received on a signaling link configured for mediation requires mediation, and a routing function for forwarding signaling units requires mediation to a mediation computer; the mediation computer being adapted to receive signaling units that require mediation and perform mediation actions on the signaling units. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification