Telecommunications intelligent network

• US 6,341,162 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1998
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC (BT Group PLC)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryce B, Kaye, Darren Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/043,059
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 379/230, 379/229, 379/219, 379/220.01, 379/221-1-2, 379/207.01, 379/207.16
• US Class Current: 379/221.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13517 SLEE - service logic execution
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13547 subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13548 call modeling, e.g. Basic Call State Model
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A telecommunications network using an intelligent network architecture per forms detection point processing for a call switched by a service switching point at a service control point which is at a location remote from the service switching point. A trigger table to use in detection point processing may be distributed between the service switching point and the service control point. Part of the trigger table may be downloaded to the service switching point from the service control point when required for a particular call.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telecommunications intelligent network, said method comprising:

switching telecommunications services at a service switching point (SSP) remote from a service control point (SCP); and

performing detection point processing for a call switched by the SSP at the SCP remote from the SSP.

2. A method as in claim 1, including:

storing a trigger table for detection point processing that is distributed between the SCP and the SSP.

3. A method as in claim 2, in which all of the trigger table is stored initially at the SCP, and part of the trigger table is downloaded to the SSP when a call switched by the SSP is initiated.

4. A method as in claim 1 including:

transmitting a request for detection point processing from the SSP to the SCP when, during the progress of a call, a detection point occurs.

5. A method as in claim 4 including:

storing a trigger table for detection point processing that is distributed between the SCP and the SSP wherein part of the trigger table comprises data indicating the armed status of a detection point locally at the SSP, and

carrying out the step of transmitting a request for detection point processing from the SSP to the SCP only for those detection points which are armed.

6. A method as in claim 5, in which the said step of storing data includes storing arming type data indicating whether the detection point is of a request or notification type, and

suspending the processing of a call when an armed detection point is encountered only if the detection point is of the request type.

7. A method as in claim 1 in which the SCP carries out substantially all detection point processing for the said call.

8. A telecommunications intelligent network that uses detection point processing to provide predetermined associated telecommunications services while processing a call, said network comprising:

a service switching point (SSP); and

a service control point (SCP) which is remote from the SSP and which includes detection point processing means for processing a call switched by the SSP.

9. A network as in claim 8, in which:

the SCP includes a first store for storing trigger table data, and

the SSP includes a second store for storing trigger table data,

in use the first and second stores storing respective portions of a trigger table which is distributed between the SCP and the SSP.

10. A network as in claim 9, in which the SCP is arranged to download trigger table data to the second store in the SSP when the call switched by the SSP is initialised.

11. A network as in claim 10, in which:

the SCP includes processor means for detection point processing, and

the said processor means are arranged to respond to a request for detection point processing transmitted from the SSP to the SCP when, during the progress of a call, a detection point occurs.

13. A telecommunications network as in claim 8, in which:

the SSP includes a data store programmed with data indicating the armed status of a detection point, and

the SSP is arranged to transmit a request for detection point processing to the SCP only when the said data indicates that the respective detection point is armed.

12. A telecommunications intelligent network comprising:

a service switching point (SSP); and

a service control point (SCP) which is remote from the SSP, a said SCP including a detection point processor arranged to execute substantially all detection point processing required by a call switched by the SSP.

14. A service control point (SCP) for use in a telecommunications network, the SCP including:

a signalling interface for connection via the network to a service switching point (SSP), and

a detection point processor connected to the signalling interface and arranged to execute detection point processing for a call which, in use, is switched by the SSP.

15. A method of telecommunications call processing comprising:

operating a service control point (SCP) to execute detection point processing for a call switched by a service switching point (SSP) which is remote from the SCP.

16. A method as in claim 15, in which the SCP executes substantially all the detection point processing for the said call.

17. A method as in claim 15 including:

receiving from the SSP requests for detection point processing only for those detection points which are armed.

18. A method as in claim 17, including:

receiving requests for detection point processing only for those detection points which are armed and which are of the request type.