Method and apparatus for implementing a plurality of numbering plans in a telecommunications network

• US 6,539,089 B1
• Filed: 06/21/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Mahajan, Om Prakash
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/337,063
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 379/243, 379/207.02, 379/220.01, 379/221.01, 379/221.14, 379/201.01, 379/246
• US Class Current: 379/221.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/35 virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13352 Self-routing networks, real-time routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for implementing a plurality of numbering plans in a telecommunications network. A network can support a private numbering plan for identifying private lines, as well as conventional public numbering plans. An illustrative hybrid numbering plan has a generic format of NPA-PPP-EXTN. The NPA value is a geographic component, in a similar manner to the PSTN plan. The PPP value identifies private lines or trunks. The EXTN value carries either the dialed digits or the derived digits through the network to the terminating private line. The EXTN digits may be required by a destination PBX to route a call to a connected station or another PBX. A numbering plan flag differentiates each of the different numbering plans employed by a network, such as the private numbering plan and the public numbering plan, to establish a plurality of routing domains. Each node or switch uses the numbering plan flag to access the appropriate routing table and forward the call to the proper destination. The numbering plan flag can be configured to differentiate among each possible routing domain, for example, using multiple flags or multiple bits in a single flag. Calls can be completed to private lines, without assigning public telephone numbers to the private lines.

Claims

1. A method for routing a call through a network along a path from an entry node to a destination node, said network comprised of a plurality of nodes, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a routing number identifying a destination for said call;

assigning a numbering plan flag to said call indicating whether said routing number is associated with a public line or a private line; and

utilizing said numbering plan flag and said routing number at each node along said path to forward the call to said destination node.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said numbering plan flag is utilized to access an appropriate routing table.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said routing number corresponding to a private line has the form NPA-PPP-EXTN, where the NPA value indicates the geographic area of said destination, the PPP value identifies said private line and the EXTN value comprises digits that are to be delivered to a called party.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said EXTN digits is derived at the entry node from the private dialed number.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said EXTN value delivers private dialing plan numbers or a translated version of said private dialing plan numbers across said network to a destination.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said delivered private dialing plan numbers can be utilized to route calls to lines connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) switch associated with said private line.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of canceling said NPA and PPP values before providing said call to said private line.

8. A method for establishing a plurality of routing domains in a network, said method comprising the steps of:

assigning a numbering plan flag to calls in said network, said numbering plan flag identifying a routing domain associated with said call; and

utilizing said numbering plan flag at each node along a path to forward the call to a destination node.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said numbering plan flag indicates whether said call is associated with a public or a private line.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said routing domains is provided for routing calls to public lines.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said routing domains is provided for routing calls to private lines.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said numbering plan flag is utilized to access an appropriate routing table for said routing domain at each node in said network.

13. A method for routing a call through a network along a path from an entry node to a destination node, said network comprised of a plurality of nodes, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a routing number identifying a destination for said call;

assigning a numbering plan flag to said call identifying a numbering plan associated with said call;

utilizing said numbering plan flag and said routing number at each node along said path to forward the call to said destination node.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said numbering plan flag is utilized to access an appropriate routing table.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said numbering plan flag indicates whether said call is associated with a public or a private line.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said routing number corresponding to a private line has the form NPA-PPP-EXTN, where the NPA value indicates the geographic area of said destination, the PPP value identifies said private line and the EXTN value comprises digits that are to be delivered to a called party.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said EXTN digits is derived at the entry node from the private dialed number.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said EXTN value delivers private dialing plan numbers or a translated version of said private dialing plan numbers across said network to a destination.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said delivered private dialing plan numbers can be utilized to route calls to lines connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) switch associated with said private line.

20. A network node for routing a call through a network along a path from an entry node to a destination node, said network node comprising:

a memory for storing routing information for a plurality of routing domains, each of said routing domains identified by a numbering plan flag;

a communications port for receiving said call with a routing number identifying a destination for said call and a numbering plan flag identifying one of said routing domains; and

a processor for (i) accessing the appropriate routing information based on said numbering plan flag and at least a portion of said routing number, and (ii) forwarding the call to said destination node in accordance with said routing information.

21. The network node of claim 20, wherein said routing number corresponding to a private line has the form NPA-PPP-EXTN, where the NPA value indicates the geographic area of said destination, the PPP value identifies said private line and the EXTN value comprises digits that are to be delivered to a called party.

22. The network node according to claim 21, wherein said EXTN digits is derived at the entry node from the private dialed number.

23. The network node of claim 21, wherein said EXTN value delivers private dialing plan numbers or a translated version of said private dialing plan numbers across said network to a destination.

24. The network node of claim 23, wherein said delivered private dialing plan numbers can be utilized to route calls to lines connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) switch associated with said private line.

25. The network node of claim 21, wherein said processor is further configured to cancel said NPA and PPP values before providing said call to said private line, if said node is a destination node for said call.

26. The network node of claim 20, wherein said numbering plan flag indicates whether said call is associated with a public or a private line.

27. The network node according to claim 20, wherein at least one of said routing domains is provided for routing calls to public lines.

28. The network node according to claim 20, wherein at least one of said routing domains is provided for routing calls to private lines.

29. The network node according to claim 20, wherein said numbering plan flag is utilized to access an appropriate routing table for said routing domain at each node in said network.