Custom routing for multiple carrier interconnection

• US 6,173,051 B1
• Filed: 11/21/1996
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Lipchock, Michael J., Florindi, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): HONG, HARRY S
• Application Number:
  US08/753,153
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 379/207, 379/220, 379/221, 379/201, 379/213, 379/243, 379/246, 379/260, 379/296
• US Class Current: 379/220.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13383 Hierarchy of switches, main and subexchange, e.g. satellite exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

A system and method of customized routing in the interconnection of multiple public switched telecommunications networks for both unbundled switching and for resale. The arrangement utilizes a hybrid combination of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), line class codes (LCC), and an adjunct processor to provide customized routing for both unbundled switching and for resale while coping with the varied capabilities and capacities of the switches found in the average public switched telephone network. The primary applications are for unbundlers and resellers to have operator (0+, 0−) calls and directory assistance calls (411/555) routed to their own platforms. The arrangement provides a solution to achievement of relatively rapid implementation in an efficient and economical manner with a minimum of modification to existing plant.

Claims

1. A method of routing a call for services from a subscriber of a first carrier over a portion of a switched telephone network of a second carrier which is a local exchange carrier (LEC) having end office switching systems with signal switching point (SSP) capability and an advanced intelligent network (AIN) platform connected to said end office switching systems, said end office switching systems including switches of differing types having differing capabilities, said subscriber being connected to a first of said end office switching systems including a first switch of a first type, said first switch having the capability of routing signals therethrough on the basis of multiple parameters, said method comprising the steps of:

said subscriber dialing one or more characters signifying a request for a first service from a service platform capable of providing said first service;

responsive to said dialed character or characters and predetermined parameters selected from said multiple parameters within the capability of said first switch, routing said request for first service to an adjunct device;

responsive to said request for first service routed to said adjunct device and to a pre-established database in said adjunct device, routing said request for service to a service platform capable of providing said first service.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said service platform is an operator service platform.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said request for first service is routed to said adjunct device following a query from said first switch to said AIN platform and pursuant to a response from said AIN platform to said first switch.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said routing of said request for first service to said service platform capable of providing said first service is via a link from said adjunct device to said service platform.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said parameters include the AIN capabilities of said first switch, pre-established primary interexchange carriers (PICs), and line class codes (LCCs).

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein a call for services from a subscriber of a second carrier is automatically routed to a service platform of said second carrier.

7. A method according to claim 6 including the steps of providing means for a subscriber to a second carrier to optionally over-ride said automatic routing to a service platform of said second carrier.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said means comprises an originating AIN trigger set in said first switch for the line of said subscriber to said second carrier.

9. A method according to claim 3 wherein said query is initiated responsive to an originating trigger set in said first switch.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said originating trigger is an off-hook delay trigger.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said off-hook delay trigger is set in said first switch for all subscribers of said first carrier connected to said first switch.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first carrier is an interexchange carrier (IXC) and including the step of routing said first request for first service to a service platform of said IXC based on a primary interexchange carrier (PIC) parameter set in said first switch.

13. A method according to claim 1 including the step of routing said request for first service to a service platform of said first carrier based on a query from said first switch to said AIN platform and pursuant to a response from said AIN platform to said first switch.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first switch has connected thereto a PBX trunk, including the step of routing requests for service on said PBX trunk to said adjunct device on the basis of line class code parameters set in said first switch.

15. A method according to claim 1 including the steps of routing said request for first service to a service platform of said second carrier for requests for service by subscribers of said first carrier and delivering the requested service along with a message identifying said first carrier.

16. A telecommunications system comprising a first local exchange carrier (LEC) network, a second competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) network, and an interexchange carrier (IXC) network, comprising in combination:

an end office switching system in said LEC network, said end office switching system having signal switching point (SSP) capability and being connected to a plurality of subscriber stations, at least a first of said subscriber stations being a subscriber of said LEC network, and a second of said subscriber stations being a subscriber of said CLEC network;

an advanced intelligent network (AIN) platform in said LEC network;

an LEC operator service platform;

a CLEC operator service platform;

an IXC operator service platform;

an adjunct device including a database connected to at said LEC and to said CLEC service platforms;

said end office switching system having set therein an originating trigger wherein;

a call for service from said second station activates said trigger and causes said second station to be connected to said adjunct device, said adjunct device determining the identity of said second station and of the carrier network to which said second station subscribes, and if that carrier network is said CLEC carrier network, connecting said second station to said LEC or said CLEC service platform pursuant to said database of said adjunct device,

a different call for service from one of said first and second stations activates primary interexchange carrier (PIC) switch functionality and pursuant thereto connecting said one of said first and second stations to said IXC service platform.

17. A telecommunications system according to claim 16 including a second competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) network having a second CLEC operator services platform, and wherein a third of said subscriber stations is a subscriber of said second CLEC network, wherein;

a call for service from said third station activates said trigger and causes said third station to be connected to said second CLEC operator services platform.

18. A telecommunications system according to claim 16 including a PBX connected to said switching system wherein;

a call for service from said PBX is connected to said adjunct device pursuant to the line class code functionality of said switching system.

19. A method of call routing for a predominate local exchange carrier operating a local exchange advanced intelligent network (AIN) controlled carrier network and one or more competing carriers having interconnection to end office switches, the range of capabilities of said end office switches being varied, said method comprising the steps of:

a) establishing the capabilities of said end office switches;

b) using AIN routing to route service calls of competing carriers connected to fully AIN capable end office switches to service platforms of said predominate local exchange carrier or of said competing carriers at the option of said competing carriers;

c) using a combination of AIN routing and an adjunct switching device to route service calls of competing carriers connected to less than fully AIN capable end office switches to service platforms of competing carriers or to said adjunct switching device, and from said adjunct switching device to service platforms of said predominate local exchange carrier or of said competing carriers at the option of said competing carriers; and

d) using a combination of AIN routing and an adjunct switching device to route service calls of competing carriers connected to fully AIN capable end office switches to service platforms of competing carriers or to said adjunct switching device, and from said adjunct switching device to service platforms of said predominate local exchange carrier or of said competing carriers at the option of said competing carriers, said routing being determined by operation of said AIN for calls from a first type switching source and by operation of line class codes for calls from a second type switching source.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said second type of switching source comprises a Centrex or PBX switching source.

21. A telecommunications system comprising a plurality of carriers, wherein at least a first one of said carriers is a local exchange carrier (LEC) having a network comprising in combination:

an end office switching system having signal switching point (SSP) capability and being connected to a plurality of stations subscribing to respective different ones of said plurality of carriers;

an operator service platform; and

an adjunct processor having connections to said operator service platform and a network of a carrier other than the first one of said carriers;

wherein said operator service platform is connected to said end office switching system through said adjunct processor; and

a call for service from a calling station subscriber of a second one of said carriers other than said first carrier connects the calling station to said adjunct processor, said adjunct processor determining the identity of the calling station and of the carrier to which calling station subscribes to identify whether the calling station is to be connected to said operator service platform or a network of the second carrier, and completing the identified connection.

22. A telecommunication system as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

an advanced intelligent network (AIN) platform coupled to said switching system and said end office switching system has set therein an originating trigger, whereby said call for service activates AIN processing to connect said calling station to said adjunct processor.

23. A telecommunication system as recited in claim 21, wherein said network of the second carrier comprises a second service platform connectable to said adjunct processor and said identified connection is made to said second service platform.

24. A telecommunication system as recited in claim 21, wherein said identified connection is made to said operator service platform and the identity of the carrier to which the calling station subscribes is announced to the calling station.

25. A telecommunication system as recited in claim 21, wherein said calling station originates from a PBX having a line calling code whereby said adjunct processor can determine the identity of the PBX second station and of the carrier network to which said second station subscribes.

26. A telecommunication system as recited in claim 21, wherein said adjunct processor comprises a switch for completing the identified connection.