System for managing telecommunications

• US 6,690,656 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Christie, Joseph Michael, Wiley, William Lyle, Duree, Albert Daniel, Gardner, Michael Joseph, Sbisa, Daniel Charles, Bahl, Bobby Chand
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, CHI HO A
• Application Number:
  US09/276,290
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 370/286, 370/201, 370/352, 370/360, 370/385, 370/395.1, 370/395.2, 370/395.5, 370/401, 370/410, 370/467, 370/522, 370/282, 379/3, 379/229, 379/230, 379/406.01, 379/406.05
• US Class Current: 370/286
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/125 One of the channel pulses or the synchronisation pulse is also used for transmitting monitoring or supervisory signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/247 ATM or packet multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5619 Network Node Interface, e.g. tandem connections, transit switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5626 Network management, e.g. Intelligent nets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5672 Multiplexing, e.g. coding, scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/205 Quality of Service based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/253 using establishment or release of connections between ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/254 Centralised controller, i.e. arbitration or scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/255 Control mechanisms for ATM switching fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/3009 Header conversion, routing tables or routing tags
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/3081 ATM peripheral units, e.g. policing, insertion or extraction
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13104 Central control, computer control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 : Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 : UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13531 : virtual networks - inc. PVN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

The invention includes a system for processing telecommunications signaling. Signaling for a call is received into a signaling processor. The signaling processor processes the call and generates new signaling incorporating the processing. The new signaling is transferred to network elements as appropriate. The signaling processor is not coupled to a switch matrix and only communicates with the network elements over signaling links.

Claims

1. A method for transferring communications using a switch, the method comprising:

receiving information related to the communications into a processor that is external to the switch, wherein the switch does not process the information to recognize a trigger;

processing the information to select a connection and echo cancellation for the communications;

generating a first control message that identifies the selected connection;

generating a second control message that identifies the echo cancellation;

transmitting the first and second control messages from the processor;

receiving the first control message into the switch;

receiving the communications into the switch; and

transferring the communications from the switch over the selected connection in response to the first control message.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the information is communications signaling.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

receiving the communications into an echo canceller;

cancelling echo in the communications; and

transferring the communications from the echo canceller.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the switch does not transmit the communications signaling to the processor.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the communications signaling is a call set-up message.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the call set-up message is an initial address message.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising receiving a release message into the processor and processing the release message.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving a re-origination request into the processor after processing the release message;

processing the re-origination request to select another connection for re-origination;

generating another first control message that identifies the other connection;

transmitting the other first control message from the processor;

receiving the other first control message into the switch;

receiving re-originated communications into the switch; and

transferring the re-originated communications from the switch over the selected other connection in response to the other first control message.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the release message includes a busy indication and the other connection is used to transfer a voice message.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising receiving an answer message into the processor and processing the answer message.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving an address complete message into the processor and processing the address complete message.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving a release complete message into the processor and processing the release complete message.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the information to select the connection comprises processing a called number.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein processing the called number comprises processing an 800 type number.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein processing the called number comprises processing called party mobility information.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein processing the called number comprises processing a virtual private network number.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the information to select the connection comprises validating a call.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the information to select the connection comprises processing an automatic number identification.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the information to select the connection comprises processing a signaling link selection code.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating billing information for the communications in the processor.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the information, processing the information, and generating the first control message comprises receiving and processing a Narrowband-Integrated Services User Part Message to generate a Broadband-Integrated Services User Part Message that identifies the connection.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the switch is an asynchronous transfer mode switch and the selected connection is an asynchronous transfer mode connection.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the information is communications signaling.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

receiving the communications into an echo canceller;

cancelling echo in the communications; and

transferring the communications from the echo canceller.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the switch does not transmit the communications signaling to the processor.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the communications signaling is a call set-up message.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the call set-up message is an initial address message.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising receiving a release message into the processor and processing the release message.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

receiving a re-origination request into the processor after processing the release message;

processing the re-origination request to select another connection for re-origination;

generating another first control message that identifies the other connection;

transmitting the other first control message from the processor;

receiving the other first control message into the switch;

receiving re-originated communications into the switch; and

transferring the re-originated communications from the switch over the selected other connection in response to the other first control message.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the release message includes a busy indication and the other connection is used to transfer a voice message.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising receiving an answer message into the processor and processing the answer message.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising receiving an address complete message into the processor and processing the address complete message.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising receiving a release complete message into the processor and processing the release complete message.

34. The method of claim 22 wherein processing the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection comprises processing a called number.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein processing the called number comprises processing an 800 type number.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein processing the called number comprises processing called party mobility information.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein processing the called number comprises processing a virtual private network number.

38. The method of claim 22 wherein processing the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection comprises validating a call.

39. The method of claim 22 wherein processing the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection comprises processing an automatic number identification.

40. The method of claim 22 wherein processing the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection comprises processing a signaling link selection code.

41. The method of claim 22 further comprising generating billing information for the communications in the processor.

42. The method of claim 22 wherein receiving the information, processing the information, and generating the first control message comprises receiving and processing a Narrowband-Integrated Services User Part Message to generate a Broadband-Integrated Services User Part Message that identifies the asynchronous transfer mode connection.

43. A communications system comprising:

a switch configured to receive a first control message identifying a selected connection, receive communications, and transfer the communications over the selected connection in response to the first control message;

a processor that is external to the switch and configured to receive information related to the communications, process the information to select a connection and echo cancellation, generate the first control message that identifies the selected connection, generate a second control message that identifies the echo cancellation, and transmit the first control message and the second control message from the processor; and

wherein

the switch does not process the information to recognize a trigger.

44. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the information is communications signaling.

45. The communication system of claim 44 further comprising an echo canceller configured to receive the communications, cancel echo in the communications, and transfer the communications.

46. The communication system of claim 44 wherein the switch does not transmit the communications signaling to the processor.

47. The communication system of claim 44 wherein the communications signaling is a call set-up message.

48. The communication system of claim 47 wherein the call set-up message is an initial address message.

49. The communication system of claim 48 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process a release message.

50. The communication system of claim 49 wherein:

the processor is further configured to receive a re-origination request after processing the release message, process the re-origination request to select another connection for re-origination, generate another first control message that identifies the other connection, and transmit the other first control message from the processor; and

the switch is further configured to receive the other first control message, receive re-originated communications, and transfer the re-originated communications from the switch over the selected other connection in response to the other first control message.

51. The communication system of claim 50 wherein the release message includes a busy indication and the other connection is used to transfer a voice message.

52. The communication system of claim 49 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process an answer message.

53. The communication system of claim 52 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process an address complete message.

54. The communication system of claim 53 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process a release complete message.

55. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to process a called number from the information to select the connection.

56. The communication system of claim 55 wherein the called number is an 800 type number.

57. The communication system of claim 55 wherein the called number is a virtual private network number.

58. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to process called party mobility information.

59. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to process the information to validate a call.

60. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to process an automatic number identification in the information to select the connection.

61. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to process a signaling link selection code in the information to select the connection.

62. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the processor is further configured to generating billing information for the communications.

63. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the information is a Narrowband-Integrated Services User Part Message and the message is a Broadband-Integrated Services User Part Message that identifies the selected connection.

64. The communication system of claim 43 wherein the switch is an asynchronous transfer mode switch and the selected connection is an asynchronous transfer mode connection.

65. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the information is communications signaling.

66. The communication system of claim 65 further comprising an echo canceller configured to receive the communications, cancel echo in the communications, and transfer the communications.

67. The communication system of claim 65 wherein the switch does not transmit the communications signaling to the processor.

68. The communication system of claim 65 wherein the communications signaling is a call set-up message.

69. The communication system of claim 68 wherein the call set-up message is an initial address message.

70. The communication system of claim 69 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process a release message.

71. The communication system of claim 70 wherein:

the processor is further configured to receive a re-origination request after processing the release message, process the re-origination request to select another connection for re-origination, generate another first control message that identifies the other connection, and transmit the other first control message from the processor; and

the switch is further configured to receive the other first control message, receive re-originated communications, and transfer the re-originated communications from the switch over the selected other connection in response to the other first control message.

72. The communication system of claim 71 wherein the release message includes a busy indication and the other connection is used to transfer a voice message.

73. The communication system of claim 70 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process an answer message.

74. The communication system of claim 73 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process an address complete message.

75. The communication system of claim 74 wherein the processor is further configured to receive and process a release complete message.

76. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to process a called number from the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection.

77. The communication system of claim 76 wherein the called number is an 800 type number.

78. The communication system of claim 76 wherein the called number is a virtual private network number.

79. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to process called party mobility information.

80. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to process the information to validate a call.

81. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to process an automatic number identification in the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection.

82. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to process a signaling link selection code in the information to select the asynchronous transfer mode connection.

83. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the processor is further configured to generating billing information for the communications.

84. The communication system of claim 64 wherein the information is a Narrowband-Integrated Services User Part Message and the message is a Broadband-Integrated Services User Part Message that identifies the selected connection.