Method of routing interLATA network traffic

• US 6,400,818 B1
• Filed: 11/20/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Ameritech Corp. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Madoch, Pitsa, Moss, John Wesley, Ebel, Richard John, Steffgen, Gerald Joseph, Donoso, Carlos H
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US09/197,386
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/207, 379/219, 379/220, 379/221, 379/229, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/220.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 Abbreviated dialling
• 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 2213/13384 Inter-PBX traffic, PBX networks, e.g. corporate networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13395 Permanent channel, leased line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 Virtual channel/circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A method of routing interLATA network traffic includes the steps of receiving a number of dialed digits at a first service switching point (18) in a first virtual network (10). Then a query is sent to a service control point (24). When the dialed digits result in the call to a facility (32) in a second virtual network (26) connected to the first virtual network (10) by a tie line (38), the call is routed to a hub service switching point (34) in the second virtual network (26) over the tie line (38).

Claims

1. A method of routing interLATA network traffic, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a plurality of digits at a first service switching point in a first virtual network in a first LATA;

(b) sending a query to a switching control point from the first service switching point;

(c) when the plurality of digits result in a call that is an interLATA call, sending a response including a routing instruction to hub service switching point;

(d) routing a network traffic to the hub service switching point in the first virtual network in the first LATA;

and

(e) when the call is not to a facility in a second virtual network, which has a tie line to the first virtual network, combining the network traffic with a plurality of other network traffic.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) further includes the steps of:

(e1) when the call is to the facility in the second virtual network, transmitting an initial address message to the hub service switching point;

(e2) sending a second query to the switching control point from the hub service switching point;

(e3) receiving a second response from the switching control point; and

(e4) routing the call over a tie line to a second hub service switching point in a second local access and transport area.

3. The method of claim 2, further including the steps of:

(e5) sending a third query to the switching control point from the second hub service switching point;

(e6) receiving a third response from the switching control point; and

(e7) routing the call to a second service switching point.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of:

(e8) routing the call from the second service switching point to a called party.

5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:

(f) routing the network traffic to a point of presence associated with one of a plurality of inter-exchange carrier selections.

6. A method of routing interLATA network traffic, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a plurality of dialed digits at a first service switching point in a first virtual network;

(b) sending a query to a service control point;

(c) determining if the plurality of dialed digits result in a call to a facility in a second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by a tie line;

(d) when the plurality of dialed digits result in the call to the facility in the second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by the tie line, routing the call to a hub service switching point in the second virtual network;

(e) when the plurality of dialed digits does not result in the call to the facility in the second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by the tie line, routing the call to a hub service switching point in the first virtual network; and

(f) combining the call with a plurality of other calls to form a plurality of calls.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of:

(g) routing the plurality of calls to a point of presence associated with one of a plurality of inter-exchange carriers.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes the steps of:

(d1) routing the call first hub service switching point in the first LATA;

(d2) sending a second query to the switching control point; and

(d3) receiving a response including a routing instruction to route the call over the tie line to the hub service switching point in the second LATA.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein step (d) further includes the steps of:

(d1) sending a second query to the switching control point from the hub service switching point;

(d2) receiving a response from the switching control point; and

(d3) routing the call to a second service switching point.

10. A method of routing interLATA network traffic, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a plurality of digits at a first service switching point in a first virtual network;

(b) determining if the plurality of digits result in a call to a facility in a second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by a tie line;

(c) when the plurality of digits result in the call to the facility in the second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by the tie line, routing the call over the tie line to the second virtual network;

(d) when the plurality of digits do not result in the call to the facility in the second virtual network connected to the first virtual network by the tie line, determining if the call is an interLATA call;

(e) when the call is the interLATA call, routing the call to a hub switching control point in the first virtual network; and

(f) combining the call with a plurality of other calls to form a plurality of calls.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) further includes the steps of:

(c1) routing the call to a first hub service switching point in the first virtual network; and

(c2) routing the call over the tie line to a second hub service switching point in the second network.

12. The method of claim 11, further including the step of:

(c3) routing the call to a second service switching point in the second virtual network.

13. The method of claim 10, further including the steps of:

(f) combining the call with a plurality of other call to form a plurality of calls;

(g) routing the plurality of calls to an interexchange carrier.