System and method for processing ported calls

• US 6,535,599 B1
• Filed: 11/08/1999
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• 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 L., Torrey, Jason P., Boldt, Dean C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/435,565
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 370/395.1, 370/395.2, 370/397, 370/399, 370/409, 370/410, 370/522, 379/211.02, 379/220.01, 379/221.13, 379/221.14, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/221.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability

Abstract

A system and method for connecting a call processes call signaling to determine if a call is a ported call or a non-ported call. A signaling processor determines if a ported number parameter (PNP), such as a forward call indicator (FCI) bit M and/or a ported number generic address parameter (GAP), is present. If the PNP is not present and the signaling processor determines the dialed number is a member of a portable number plan area and central office code combinations (NPA-NXX), the signaling processor queries a ported number database (PNDB). The PNDB responds with the called number dialed digits if the call is not a ported call or a location routing number (LRN) if the call is a ported call. The signaling processor appends a 1 to the nature of address (NOA) subfield of the called party number (CdPN) field if the call is a ported call. The signaling processor then partitions the call signaling parameters between ported or non-ported routing table translations, depending on whether the NOA is appended or not, to determine call routing connections and new call signaling. The appended 1 of the appended NOA is removed prior to building an outgoing call signaling message.

Claims

1. A system for connecting a call having call signaling, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling by partitioning the call for processing within the signaling processor as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter of a call signaling parameter or by partitioning the call for processing within the signaling processor as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the ported number processing parameter.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for 1 of the ported call or the non-ported call.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

17. A system for connecting a call having call signaling, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling by partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called number party parameter or by partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the nature of address field.

18. A system for connecting a call having call signaling, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if a ported number parameter is present, and, if present, to partition the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

24. The system of claim 18 wherein the ported number parameter comprises one or more of a forward call indicator parameter and a ported number generic address parameter.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

28. A system for connecting a call having call signaling, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call, and, if the call is the ported call, to partition the call for further processing within the signaling processor as the ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter.

29. The system of claim 28 the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

33. The system of claim 28 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

34. The system of claim 28 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

35. The system of claim 28 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine if the call is the ported call by determining if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

40. The system of claim 28 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

43. A system for connecting a call having call signaling, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call, and, if the call is the ported call, to partition the call for further processing within the signaling processor as the ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called party number field parameter of the call signaling.

44. A method for connecting a call having call signaling, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling;

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter of a call signaling parameter; and

partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the ported number processing parameter.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

48. The method of claim 46 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

49. The method of claim 44 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

50. The method of claim 44 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

51. The method of claim 44 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

52. The method of claim 44 further comprising determining if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

57. The method of claim 44 further comprising transmitting a query requesting ported number information and processing a response to the query.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

60. A method for connecting a call having call signaling, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling;

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called number party parameter; and

partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the nature of address field.

61. A method for connecting a call having call signaling, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if a ported number parameter is present; and

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter if the ported number parameter is present.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

63. The method of claim 61 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

64. The method of claim 61 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

65. The method of claim 61 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

66. The method of claim 61 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

67. The method of claim 61 wherein the ported number parameter comprises one or more of a forward call indicator parameter and a ported number generic address parameter.

68. The method of claim 61 further comprising transmitting a query requesting ported number information and processing a response to the query.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

71. A method for connecting a call having call signaling, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call; and

partitioning the call for further processing as the ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter if the call is the ported call.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

73. The method of claim 71 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

74. The method of claim 73 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

75. The method of claim 73 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

76. The method of claim 71 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

77. The method of claim 71 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

78. The method of claim 71 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call by determining if the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

80. The method of claim 78 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

82. The method of claim 78 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

83. The method of claim 78 further comprising transmitting a query requesting ported number information and processing a response to the query.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

85. The method of claim 83 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

86. A method for connecting a call having call signaling, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call; and

partitioning the call for further processing as the ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called party number field parameter of the call signaling if the call is the ported call.

87. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling by partitioning the call for processing within the signaling processor as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter of a call signaling parameter or by partitioning the call for processing within the signaling processor as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the ported number processing parameter; and

a communication device adapted to receive, to handle, to transmit at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message.

88. The system of claim 87 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

89. The system of claim 87 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

90. The system of claim 89 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

91. The system of claim 89 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

92. The system of claim 87 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises a connection system adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

93. The system of claim 92 further comprising another communication device adapted to receive the user communications over the selected connection.

94. The system of claim 92 further comprising another communication device adapted to transport the user communications to the communication device.

95. The system of claim 87 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to interwork the user communications over the selected connection.

96. The system of claim 87 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications from a time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

97. The system of claim 87 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an asynchronous transfer mode matrix adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

98. The system of claim 87 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

99. The system of claim 87 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

100. The system of claim 87 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

102. The system of claim 101 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

103. The system of claim 101 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

104. The system of claim 103 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

105. The system of claim 101 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

106. The system of claim 87 wherein:

the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query; and

the communication device comprises a ported number database adapted to receive the query, to process the query, and to transmit a response to the query, the response having ported number information.

107. The system of claim 106 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

108. The system of claim 106 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

109. The system of claim 87 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to transmit the call signaling to the signaling processor.

110. The system of claim 87 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to receive new call signaling from the signaling processor.

111. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling by partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called number party parameter or by partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the nature of address field; and

a communication device adapted to receive, to handle, or to transmit at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message.

112. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if a ported number parameter is present, and, if present, to partition the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter; and

a communication device adapted to receive, to handle, and/or to transmit at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message.

113. The system of claim 112 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

114. The system of claim 112 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

115. The system of claim 112 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises a connection system adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

116. The system of claim 115 further comprising another communication device adapted to receive the user communications over the selected connection.

117. The system of claim 115 further comprising another communication device adapted to transport the user communications to the communication device.

118. The system of claim 112 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to interwork the user communications over the selected connection.

119. The system of claim 112 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications from a time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

120. The system of claim 112 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an asynchronous transfer mode matrix adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

121. The system of claim 112 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

122. The system of claim 112 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

123. The system of claim 112 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

124. The system of claim 112 wherein the ported number parameter comprises one or more of a forward call indicator parameter and a ported number generic address parameter.

125. The system of claim 112 wherein:

the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query; and

the communication device comprises a ported number database adapted to receive the query, to process the query, and to transmit a response to the query, the response having ported number information.

126. The system of claim 125 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

127. The system of claim 125 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

128. The system of claim 112 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to transmit the call signaling to the signaling processor.

129. The system of claim 112 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to receive new call signaling from the signaling processor.

130. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call, and, if the call is the ported call, to partition the call for further processing within the signaling processor as the ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter; and

a communication device adapted to receive, to handle, or to transmit at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message.

131. The system of claim 130 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

132. The system of claim 130 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

133. The system of claim 132 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

134. The system of claim 132 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

135. The system of claim 130 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises a connection system adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

136. The system of claim 135 further comprising another communication device adapted to receive the user communications over the selected connection.

137. The system of claim 135 further comprising another communication device adapted to transport the user communications to the communication device.

138. The system of claim 130 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to interwork the user communications over the selected connection.

139. The system of claim 130 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an interworking unit adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications from a time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

140. The system of claim 130 wherein:

the signaling processor is adapted to process the call signaling to select a connection for the user communications and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; and

the communication device comprises an asynchronous transfer mode matrix adapted to receive the control message and, in response thereto, to connect the user communications over the selected connection.

141. The system of claim 130 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to remove an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

142. The system of claim 130 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine new call signaling and to transmit new call signaling after the signaling processor has processed the call signaling for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

143. The system of claim 130 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

144. The system of claim 143 wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to determine if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

145. The system of claim 144 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

146. The system of claim 144 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

147. The system of claim 146 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

148. The system of claim 144 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

149. The system of claim 130 wherein:

the signaling processor further is adapted to transmit a query requesting ported number information and to process a response to the query; and

the communication device comprises a ported number database adapted to receive the query, to process the query, and to transmit a response to the query, the response having ported number information.

150. The system of claim 149 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the ported call.

151. The system of claim 149 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the signaling processor further is adapted to process the call as the non-ported call.

152. The system of claim 130 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to transmit the call signaling to the signaling processor.

153. The system of claim 130 wherein the communication device comprises a switch adapted to receive new call signaling from the signaling processor.

154. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising:

a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call, and, if the call is the ported call, to partition the call for further processing within the signaling processor as a ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called party number field parameter of the call signaling; and

a communication device adapted to receive, to handle, or to transmit at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message.

155. A method for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling;

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter of a call signaling parameter;

partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the ported number processing parameter; and

receiving, handling, and/or transmitting at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message at a communication device.

156. The method of claim 155 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

157. The method of claim 155 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

158. The method of claim 157 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

159. The method of claim 157 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

160. The method of claim 155 wherein the communication device comprises a connection system and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the connection system and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

161. The method of claim 160 receiving the user communications over the selected connection at another communications device.

162. The system of claim 160 further comprising transporting the user communications to the communication device from another communications device.

163. The method of claim 155 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, interworking the user communications over the selected connection.

164. The method of claim 155 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications from the time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

165. The method of claim 155 wherein the communication device comprises asynchronous transfer mode matrix and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the asynchronous transfer mode matrix and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

166. The method of claim 155 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

167. The method of claim 155 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

168. The method of claim 155 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

169. The method of claim 155 further comprising determining if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

170. The method of claim 169 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

171. The method of claim 169 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

172. The method of claim 171 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

173. The method of claim 169 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

174. The method of claim 155 further comprising:

transmitting a query requesting ported number information;

receiving and processing the query at a ported number database, wherein the communications device comprises the ported number database;

transmitting a response to the query from the ported number database, the response having ported number information; and

processing the response to the query.

175. The method of claim 174 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

176. The method of claim 174 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

177. The method of claim 155 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises transmitting the call signaling from the switch.

178. The method of claim 155 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises receiving new call signaling at the switch.

179. A method for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling;

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called number party parameter;

partitioning the call for processing as a non-ported call by not appending the 1 to the nature of address field; and

receiving, handling, and/or transmitting at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message at a communication device.

180. A method for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if a ported number parameter is present;

partitioning the call for processing as a ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter if the ported number parameter is present; and

receiving, handling, or transmitting at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message at a communication device.

181. The method of claim 180 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

182. The method of claim 180 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

183. The method of claim 180 wherein the communication device comprises a connection system and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the connection system and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

184. The method of claim 183 receiving the user communications over the selected connection at another communications device.

185. The system of claim 183 further comprising transporting the user communications to the communication device from another communications device.

186. The method of claim 180 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, interworking the user communications over the selected connection.

187. The method of claim 180 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications from the time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

188. The method of claim 180 wherein the communication device comprises asynchronous transfer mode matrix and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the asynchronous transfer mode matrix and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

189. The method of claim 180 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

190. The method of claim 180 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

191. The method of claim 180 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is the ported call or the non-ported call.

192. The method of claim 180 wherein the ported number parameter comprises one or more of a forward call indicator parameter and a ported number generic address parameter.

193. The method of claim 180 further comprising:

transmitting a query requesting ported number information;

receiving and processing the query at a ported number database, wherein the communications device comprises the ported number database;

transmitting a response to the query from the ported number database, the response having ported number information; and

processing the response to the query.

194. The method of claim 193 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

195. The method of claim 193 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

196. The method of claim 180 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises transmitting the call signaling from the switch.

197. The method of claim 180 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises receiving new call signaling at the switch.

198. A method for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call;

partitioning the call for further processing as the ported call by appending a 1 to a ported number processing parameter if the call is the ported call; and

receiving, handling, or transmitting at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message at a communication device.

199. The method of claim 198 wherein the ported number processing parameter comprises a nature of address field.

200. The method of claim 198 further comprising processing call signaling parameters to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

201. The method of claim 200 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing logic to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

202. The method of claim 200 further comprising processing the call signaling parameters with routing tables to determine the processing option or the connection for the call.

203. The method of claim 198 wherein the communication device comprises a connection system and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the connection system and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

204. The method of claim 203 receiving the user communications over the selected connection at another communications device.

205. The system of claim 203 further comprising transporting the user communications to the communication device from another communications device.

206. The method of claim 198 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, interworking the user communications over the selected connection.

207. The method of claim 198 wherein the communication device comprises an interworking unit and the method further comprises:

selecting a time division multiplex connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the interworking unit and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications from the time division multiplex connection over the selected time division multiplex connection.

208. The method of claim 198 wherein the communication device comprises asynchronous transfer mode matrix and the method further comprises:

selecting a connection for the user communications and transmitting a control message identifying the selected connection; and

receiving the control message at the asynchronous transfer mode matrix and, in response thereto, connecting the user communications over the selected connection.

209. The method of claim 198 further comprising removing an appended 1 from the ported number processing parameter after the call signaling has been processed to determine a processing option or a connection for the call.

210. The method of claim 198 further comprising determining new call signaling and transmitting new call signaling after the call signaling has been processed for one of the ported call or the non-ported call.

211. The method of claim 198 further comprising processing the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call or a non-ported call.

212. The method of claim 198 further comprising determining if a ported number parameter is present in the call signaling.

213. The method of claim 212 wherein the ported number parameter is present in the call signaling and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

214. The method of claim 212 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a forward call indicator parameter.

215. The method of claim 214 wherein the ported number parameter further comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

216. The method of claim 212 wherein the ported number parameter comprises a ported number generic address parameter.

217. The method of claim 198 further comprising:

transmitting a query requesting ported number information;

receiving and processing the query at a ported number database, wherein the communications device comprises the ported number database;

transmitting a response to the query from the ported number database, the response having ported number information; and

processing the response to the query.

218. The method of claim 217 wherein the response comprises a location routing number and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the ported call.

219. The method of claim 217 wherein the response comprises dialed number digits and wherein the method further comprises processing the call as the non-ported call.

220. The method of claim 198 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises transmitting the call signaling from the switch.

221. The method of claim 198 wherein the communications device comprises a switch and the method further comprises receiving new call signaling at the switch.

222. A method for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the method comprising:

receiving the call signaling and processing the call signaling to determine if the call is a ported call;

partitioning the call for further processing as the ported call by appending a 1 to a nature of address field of a called party number field parameter of the call signaling if the call is the ported call; and

receiving, handling, or transmitting at least one of a group of the call signaling, the user communications, and a control message at a communication device.