Method, system and apparatus for telecommunications control

• US 6,185,219 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Christie, Joseph Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US09/082,045
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351, 370/352-357, 370/389, 370/395, 370/396, 370/397, 370/398, 370/399, 370/410, 370/524, 370/522, 370/400, 370/409, 370/422, 370/360, 370/384, 370/385, 379/94, 379/220, 379/221, 379/112, 379/230, 379/229
• US Class Current: 370/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/125 One of the channel pulses or the synchronisation pulse is also used for transmitting monitoring or supervisory signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/247 ATM or packet multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5672 Multiplexing, e.g. coding, scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/20 Support for services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/253 using establishment or release of connections between ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/255 Control mechanisms for ATM switching fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/3009 Header conversion, routing tables or routing tags
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/50 Overload detection or protection within a single switching element
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13104 Central control, computer control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13167 Redundant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 : Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 : Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 : Virtual channel/circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 : protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 : Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54566 : Intelligent peripherals, adjunct processors

Abstract

The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Claims

1. A method for processing messages for a call, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a set-up message for the call into a processor, wherein the processor is external to devices on a communications path for the call;

(b) processing the set-up message in the processor to select at least one characteristic for the communications path for the call;

(c) generating a first instruction message in the processor that incorporates the selected characteristic;

(d) transmitting the first instruction message from the processor for at least one of the devices on the communications path;

(e) receiving a release message for the call into the processor;

(f) processing the release message in the processor to generate a second instruction message for the call; and

(g) transmitting the second instruction message from the processor for the device on the communications path.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(h) receiving an answer message for the call into the processor;

(i) processing the answer message in the processor to generate a third instruction message for the call; and

(j) transmitting the third instruction message from the processor for the device on the communications path.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising generating a first time stamp in the processor for the answer message and generating a second time stamp in the processor for the release message.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising processing the time stamps to bill the call.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving signaling system management messages into the processor.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising processing the set-up message and the release message based on a Circuit Identification Code for the call.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising processing the set-up message in the processor to select a point code.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes processing called number information.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes processing caller number information.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes processing bearer capability information.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes selecting a connection.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the connection is an ATM connection.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the connection is a packet connection.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the connection is a DS0 connection.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes selecting a network element.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the network element is a server.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the network element is an enhanced platform.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes selecting a logical address.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the call is a POTS call.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the call is an “

800”

type call.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the set-up message and the release message are C7 messages.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the set-up message is a Signaling System #7(SS7) Initial Address Message and the release message is an SS7 Release Message.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising receiving an SS7 Answer Message for the call into the processor.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising generating time stamps in the processor for the Answer Message and the Release Message.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising processing the time stamps to bill the call.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving an SS7 Address Complete Message for the call into the processor.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising receiving an SS7 Release Complete Message for the call into the processor.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising processing the SS7 signaling messages based on a Circuit Identification Code for the call.

29. The method of claim 22 further comprising receiving SS7 management messages into the processor.

30. The method of claim 22 further comprising processing the Initial Address Message in the processor to select a connection.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a broadband connection.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a virtual connection.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is an ATM connection.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a DS0 connection.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a trunk group.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a physical connection.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a logical connection.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a T1 connection.

39. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a OC-3 connection.

40. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a packet connection.

41. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a dedicated access line.

42. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a cellular connection.

43. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a microwave connection.

44. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a point to multipoint connection.

45. The method of claim 30 wherein the connection is a multipoint to multipoint connection.

46. The method of claim 22 further comprising processing the Initial Address Message in the processor to select a network element.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the network element is a switch.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the network element is a multiplexer.

49. The method of claim 46 wherein the network element is a server.

50. The method of claim 46 wherein the network element is an enhanced platform.

51. The method of claim 46 wherein the network element is a service node.

52. The method of claim 22 further comprising processing the Initial Address Message in the processor to select a logical address.

53. The method of claim 22 further comprising processing the Initial Address Message in the processor to select a network code.

54. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing caller number information.

55. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing called number information.

56. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing an area code.

57. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing geographic information.

58. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing load balancing information.

59. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a POTS number.

60. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing an “

800”

type number.

61. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing time of day information.

62. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing busy hour information.

63. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing switch status information.

64. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing trunk status information.

65. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing automatic call distribution information.

66. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing operational control information.

67. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing an error condition.

68. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a network alarm.

69. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a user request.

70. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing device status information.

71. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing an origination point code.

72. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a destination point code.

73. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a circuit identification code.

74. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing set-up information.

75. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing transit network information.

76. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing service value information.

77. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing bearer capability information.

78. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing nature of address information.

79. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing calling party category information.

80. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing address presentation restricted status information.

81. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing carrier selection value information.

82. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a charge number.

83. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing originating line information.

84. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing a service code value.

85. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing message transfer part information.

86. The method of claim 22 wherein step (b) includes processing Integrated Services User Part information.