Method for improving a network structure, especially an IN (Intelligent Network) network structure

• US 6,570,978 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2000
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Tjore, Vidar Timenes, Evensen, Geir Olav, Johnsen, Petter
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/655,819
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201-1-2, 379/207.02, 379/221-8-2, 379/229, 379/230, 379/211.02
• US Class Current: 379/221.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for improving a network structure, especially an IN (Intelligent Network) network structure and the multi-feature services thereof, and for the objective to provide easier customizing and tailoring of the services to different customers in connection with such multi-feature services, and in order to more easily address such different features, it is according to the present invention suggested a method which his characterized by letting each feature within the service be assigned a unique number, a so-called feature key.

Claims

1. A method for making multi-feature services in an IN (Intelligent Network) network structure available for a user, the method comprising:

assigning each sub-service of a multi-feature service a different sub-service identifier represented by a unique number so as to represent a function address for the sub-service in question, so that each of the sub-services of the multi-feature service is assigned a different sub-service identifier;

an external device and a service control point (SCP) related to the multi-feature service establishing communication with each other, and thereafter the external device sending one of a plurality of possible sub-service identifiers to a service designated feature selector via at least the SCP in order to access the specific sub-service to which the one sub-service identifier is assigned; and

said feature selector causing the sub-service to which the one sub-service identifier is assigned to be executed based upon reception of the one sub-service identifier from the external device.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an external IP (Intelligent Peripheral)/SFR (Special Resource Function) is the external device, and the protocol used for information exchange between said IP and the SCP (Service Control Point) is CS1 (Capability Set 1).

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that when an external IP wants to initiate execution of a specific sub-service, then a feature key including the sub-service identifier is signaled back to the service by said CS1 operation, said feature key then being sent to said feature selector for execution of the sub-service in question.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the external device there is set up technology for the wanted user interface so as to handle the user intersection, comprising many structures, features available throughout, and input means for the execution thereof.

5. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a service is triggered by dialing a specific B-number, for letting the triggered service be connected to an external device IP providing the wanted user interface and thereafter letting said service initiate execution of the user interaction on said IP.

6. Method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that after finishing dialog between the user and said IP, said IP will start a sub-service in the service running on said SCP, and then said IP will send an associated feature key including the assigned sub-service identifier back to the service together with sub-service input/data, at which time said feature selector will filter out said feature key and execute the correct sub-service.

7. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a change of user interface in a service is effected by connection to a different external device IP.

8. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in connection with a UPT (Universal Personal Telecommunication) Service supporting speech recognition, access to a service in question is effected by the user dialing the UPTAN, said service thereafter setting up a temporary connection to the speech recognition IP for the provision of necessary user interface, and then said service sends a PCUI (Prompt and Collect User Information) to the IP to initiate user interaction, and a user message command is identified by said IP as the UPT sub-service in question.

9. Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a user message command initiated feature key is sent to the service as a digit-response parameter in Return Result for said PCUI for the feature selector to execute said commanded feature.

10. A method for making multi-feature services in an IN (Intelligent Network) network structure available for a user, the method comprising:

assigning each sub-service of a multi-feature service a different sub-service identifier represented by a unique number so as to represent a function address for the sub-service in question, so that each of the sub-services of the multi-feature service is assigned a different sub-service identifier;

an external device and a service control point (SCP) related to the multi-feature service establishing communication with each other, and thereafter the external device sending one of a plurality of possible sub-service identifiers to at least a service designated feature selector in order to access the specific sub-service to which the one sub-service identifier is assigned; and

said feature selector causing the sub-service to which the one sub-service identifier is assigned to be executed based upon reception of the one sub-service identifier from the external device.