Telecommunications apparatus, system, and method with an enhanced signal transfer point

• US 6,249,529 B1
• Filed: 07/16/1998
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Wiley, William Lyle, Duree, Albert Daniel, Gardner, Michael Joseph, Christie, Jospeh Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US09/116,966
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 370/466, 370/467, 370/469, 370/524, 370/401, 370/410, 379/229, 379/230, 379/231
• US Class Current: 370/467
• 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 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• 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 49/50 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

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for converting point codes in a signal transfer point in a telecommunications signaling system. The STP converts point codes which designate the origination and destination signaling points for the message. The conversion is based on information defined by the messages, such as origination or destination information. The present invention creates a virtual signaling system which can be reconfigured at the STP by converting point codes, and thus, altering the identities of the signaling points. The present invention is also operable to convert circuit identification codes and transfer integrated services user part messages to a user part.

Claims

1. A telecommunications system comprising:

a plurality of switches that are operable to generate signaling messages that include destination codes that identify destinations for the signaling messages;

a signaling processor that resides externally to the switches;

a signal transfer point (STP) that is operable to convert the destination codes that identify the destinations into a new destination code that identifies the signaling processor and to route these signaling messages to the signaling processor based on the new destination code, and

signaling links between the STP and the switches, and between the STP and the signaling processor that are operable to transfer the signaling messages.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the STP does not route a copy of a particular signaling message to the signaling processor if the STP routes the particular signaling message to a switch.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling messages are SS7 messages.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling messages are C7 messages.

10. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on linksets used to receive the signaling messages.

11. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on origination codes in the signaling messages.

12. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on circuit codes in the signaling messages.

13. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on the destination codes that identify the destinations.

14. The telecommunications system of claim 1 wherein the STP is operable to convert the destination codes before applying Message Transfer Part level 3 routing.

5. A telecommunications system comprising:

a plurality of switches that are operable to generate signaling messages that include destination codes that identify destinations for the signaling messages;

a signaling processor that resides externally to the switches;

a signal transfer point (STP) that is operable to convert the destination codes that identify the destinations in the signaling messages into a new destination code that identifies the signaling processor and to forward the signaling messages to the signaling processor through a message transfer part level 3 distribution function based on the new destination code, and wherein the signaling processor operates as a user part to the STP; and

signaling links between the STP and the switches that are operable to transfer the signaling messages.

6. The telecommunications system of claim 5 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on linksets used to receive the signaling messages.

7. The telecommunications system of claim 5 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on origination codes in the signaling messages.

8. The telecommunications system of claim 5 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on circuit codes in the signaling messages.

9. The telecommunications system of claim 5 wherein the STP is operable to select the new destination code based on the destination codes that identify the destinations.