Service unit using essential and non-essential service request message classifications

• US 6,763,101 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Lautenschlager, Wolfgang, Stahl, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/845,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20010040951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 379/207.02, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.1, 379/221.11, 379/229, 379/230, 379/221.03, 379/221.04, 379/221.06, 379/279, 709/223, 709/224, 709/246
• US Class Current: 379/207.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for controlling the setting-up of a communication connection by a communication network (TELENET), as well as a service unit for implementing the method. During the call set-up a service request message (SR) for requesting an IN service is transmitted to a network server (SCP1 to SCP3) if the communication connection that is to be set up fulfils predetermined trigger conditions. The service request message (SR) transmitted to the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) is classified by a service unit (SSP; LLIN) as essential or non-essential. The operability of the network server is monitored by the service unit (SSP; LLIN). If the service unit (SSP; LLIN) determines that the operability of the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) is impaired, it initiates the further call set-up of the communication connections if it has classified the service request message (SR) as non-essential and initiates the termination of the further call set-up of the communication connections if it has classified the service request message (SR) as essential.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the setting-up of a communication connection by a communication network (TELENET), wherein during the call set-up a service request message (SR) for requesting a service is sent to a network server (SCP1 to SCP3) if the communication connection that is to be set up fulfils predetermined trigger conditions, said method including the steps of:

classifying the service request message (SR) sent to the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) by a service unit (SSP;

LLIN) as essential or non-essential,

monitoring that the operability of the network server by the service unit (SSP;

LLIN), and

if the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) determines that the operability of the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) is impaired, initiating the further call set-up of the communication connections if it has classified the service request message (SR) as non-essential, and initiating the termination of the further call set-up of the communication connections if it has classified the service request message (SR) as essential.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) classifies the service request message (SR) as essential or non-essential on the basis of the service addressed by the service request message (SR).

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein service unit (SSP;

LLIN) classifies the service request message (SR) as essential or non-essential on the basis of the subscriber initiating the communication connection.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) classifies the service request message (SR) as essential or non-essential on the basis of the IN service addressed by the service request message (SR) and the subscriber or terminal initiating the communication connection.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein for monitoring the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) monitors the response of the network server (SCP1 to SCP3) to the service request message (SR).

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) initiates the transmission of a special indication or announcement to the calling subscriber of the communication connection that is to be set up, if the service unit initiates the further call set-up of the communication connections.

7. A service unit (SSP;

LLIN) for controlling the setting-up of communication connections by a communication network (TELENET), wherein the service unit (SSP;

LLIN) is provided with a communications unit (INT) for communication with at least one IN server (SCP1 to SCP3) and is provided with a control unit (CONTR;

CONTR′

) that is configured so that, during the call set-up of communication connections, it initiates the transmission of at least one service request message (SR) for requesting an IN service to at least one network server (SCP1 to SCP3) if the respective communication connection that is to be set up fulfils predetermined trigger conditions, said control unit (CONTR;

CONTR′

) further characterized in that it;

classifies the service request messages (SR) transmitted to the at least one network server (SCP1 to SCP3) as essential or non-essential,

monitors the operability of the at least one network server, and

if it determines that the operability of one of the network servers (SCP1 to SCP3) is impaired, initiates the further call set-up of those communication connections for which a service request message classified as non-essential has been transmitted to this network server, and the service requested by this service request message has not yet been provided, and initiates the termination of the further call set-up of those communication connections for which a service request message classified as essential has been transmitted to this network server and the service requested by this service request message has not yet been provided.

8. A service unit according to claim 7, wherein the service unit (SSP) is a service switching centre.

9. A service unit according to claim 7, wherein the service unit (LLIN) is an IN infrastructure server.