Local routing system and method

• US 6,205,214 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1998
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fleischer, Harold C. III, Nance, Bruce A., Coronado, M. Lourdes, Culli, Laura, Simino, John E., Hanrahan, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US09/112,384
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112, 379/114, 379/121, 379/127, 379/128, 379/188, 379/189, 379/207, 379/220, 379/221, 379/222, 379/229, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/220.01
• 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 45/304 Route determination for signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/90 using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/016 Billing using Intelligent Networks [IN] or Advanced Intelligent Networks [AIN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13144 Searching path through number of switching stages or nodes, e.g. revertive blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13251 : Restricted service, class of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 : Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 : Traffic distributors

Abstract

A local routing system is provided for selectively routing traffic in a telecommunications network according to a local service provider'"'"'s preferences. The local service provider provides service for telephone lines acquired from a local exchange carrier. The telecommunications network supports an originator subscribing to the local service provider. The originator initiates a trigger when originating a call to a destination by dialing a number. The local routing system includes a classifier, a detenniner, and a router. The classifier analyzes the dialed number and categorizes the call into one of several predetermined classes of traffic. The determiner determines whether the local service provider has a routing preference for the class of traffic into which the classifier has placed the call. The router routes the traffic to the destination according to the local service provider'"'"'s routing preference if a routing preference exists for the class of traffic into which the classifier placed the call, and generates billing if appropriate. The predetermined traffic can be operator assistance traffic, directory assistance traffic, and local traffic.

Claims

1. A local routing system for selectively routing traffic in a telecommunications network according to a local service provider'"'"'s preferences on a line by line basis, the preferences indicating whether a call is routed through the local service provider'"'"'s network, the local service provider providing service for telephone lines unbundled or leased from a local exchange carrier, the network supporting an originator subscribing to the local service provider, the originator initiating an AIN trigger when originating the call to a destination by dialing a number, the system comprising:

a classifier which analyzes the dialed number and categorizes the call into one of a plurality of predetermined classes of traffic;

a table that indicates a line level routing preference for the originator;

a determiner which determines whether the local service provider has a local service provider level routing preference for the class of traffic into which the classifier has placed the call, if the line level routing preference coincides with the class of traffic into which the classifier has placed the call; and

a router which routes the traffic to the destination according to the local service provider level routing preference if the determiner determined the local service provider level routing preference for the class of traffic into which the classifier placed the call.

2. The local routing system of claim 1, further comprising

a filter which analyzes the dialed number and determines whether the call is local;

wherein the router routes the traffic to a non-local switch if the call is not local.

3. The local routing system of claim 2, in which the filter determines whether the call is local by comparing an originating LATA with a destination LATA, and if the LATAs are identical, checking whether a destination NPANXX is within a local calling scope of the originator.

4. The local routing system of claim 1, in which the predetermined classes traffic comprise one of operator assistance traffic, directory assistance traffic, and local traffic.

5. The local routing system of claim 1, in which the determiner determines the local service producer level routing preference according to the switch serving the originator.

6. The local routing system of claim 5, in which the local service provider indicates the local service provider level routing preference for each switch within a local service provider network, and for each class of traffic.

7. The local routing system of claim 6, wherein the line level routing preference for each line supersedes the local service provider level routing preference for each switch.

8. The local routing system of claim 1, further comprising a billing generator that generates a billing record for each unbundled call that is routed according to the local service provider'"'"'s preferences.

9. The local routing system of claim 8, in which the billing generator generates a terminating access billing record for each unbundled call completed to a subscriber of the local service provider.

10. The local routing system of claim 8, in which the billing generator generates an originating access billing record for each unbundled call originated by the subscriber of the local service provider.

11. The local routing system of claim 1, further comprising a switch filter that filters all calls to predetermined numbers, thereby blocking the filtered calls from the classifier, determiner and router, wherein the filtered calls are routed according to the local exchange carrier'"'"'s instructions.

12. A local routing method for selectively routing traffic in a telecommunications network according to a local service provider'"'"'s preferences on a line by line basis, the preferences indicating whether a call is routed through the local service provider'"'"'s network, the local service provider providing service for telephone lines unbundled or leased from a local exchange carrier, the network supporting an originator subscribing to the local service provider, the originator initiating an AIN trigger when originating the call to a destination by dialing a number, the method comprising:

analyzing the dialed number to categorize the call into one of a plurality of predetermined classes of traffic;

locating a line level routing preference for the originator;

determining whether the local service provider has a local service provider level routing preference for the categorized class of traffic, if the line level routing preference coincides with the categorized class of traffic; and

routing the traffic to the destination according to the local service provider level routing preference if the local service provider level routing preference is determined for the categorized class of traffic.

13. The local routing method of claim 12, further comprising analyzing the dialed number to determine whether the call is local;

and routing the traffic to a non-local switch if the call is not local.

14. The local routing method of claim 13, further comprising determining whether the call is local by comparing an originating LATA with a destination LATA, and if the LATAs are identical, checking whether a destination NPANXX is within a local calling scope of the originator.

15. The local routing method of claim 12, in which the predetermined classes of traffic comprise one of operator assistance traffic, directory assistance traffic.

16. The local routing method of claim 12, furither comprising determining the local service provider level routing preference for the switch serving the originator.

17. The local routing method of claim 16, in which the local service provider indicates local service provider level routing preference for each switch within a local service provider network, and for each class of traffic.

18. The local routing method of claim 17, wherein the line level routing preference for each line supersedes the local service provider level routing preference for each switch.

19. The local routing method of claim 12, further comprising generating a billing record for each unbundled call that is routed according to the local service provider'"'"'s preferences.

20. The local routing method of claim 19, further comprising generating a terminating access billing record for each unbundled call completed to a subscriber of the local service provider.

21. The local routing method of claim 19, further comprising generating an originating access billing record for each unbundled call originated by the subscriber of the local service provider.

22. The local routing method of claim 12, further comprising filtering all calls to predetermined numbers, thereby blocking the filtered calls from being analyzed, determined, and routed according to the local service provider'"'"'s preference, causing the filtered calls to be routed according to the local exchange carrier'"'"'s instructions.