System and method for connecting a call with a gateway system

• US 6,785,282 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Gardner, Michael Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US09/219,125
• Time in Patent Office: 2,079 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351-356, 370/401, 370/410, 370/395.3, 370/400, 370/395.2, 370/426, 370/389, 370/392, 370/395.1, 370/397, 370/395.6, 370/395.64, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 370/474, 370/522, 379/219, 379/88.17, 379/220.01, 379/88.21, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.1, 379/229, 379/230, 379/242, 379/243, 379/244
• US Class Current: 370/395.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/123 where the packet-switched network is an Internet Protocol Multimedia System-type network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/125 Details of gateway equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A system and method for connecting a call in a gateway system comprises a signaling processor for processing call signaling to determine connections for the user communications. A gateway matrix accepts control messages form the signaling processor and accepts user communications from switching systems. In response to the control message, the gateway matrix connects the user communications to the designated connection.

Claims

1. A communication system for handling a call, comprising:

a first signaling processor configured to receive call signaling for the call, process the call signaling to generate a first identifier, and transfer a first control message that includes the first identifier, wherein the first signaling processor is external to a switch; and

a first gateway device configured to receive user communications for the call, receive the first control message, convert the user communications from a first format to a second format wherein the second format includes the first identifier in a header of the user communications, and transmit the user communications in the second format.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first identifier is for routing the user communications.

3. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first identifier identifies a connection for the user communications.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first identifier identifies an ATM connection for the user communications.

5. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first identifier identifies a VP/VC for a connection for the user communications.

6. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first communication device coupled to the first signaling processor and the first gateway device, wherein the first communication device, the first signaling processor, and the first gateway device comprise a first network,

the first communication device configured to receive the call, determine whether the destination of the call is outside of the first network, and transmit the call to the first signaling processor and the first gateway device responsive to the determination that the destination of the call is outside of the first network.

7. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first signaling processor is configured to generate new call signaling and transmit the new call signaling.

8. The communication system of claim 7 further comprising a second network comprising:

a second signaling processor configured to receive the new call signaling, process the new call signaling to generate a second identifier, and transfer a second control message that includes the second identifier; and

a second gateway device configured to receive the user communications in the second format, receive the second control message, convert the user communications from the second format to a third format wherein the third format includes the second identifier in the header of the user communications, and transmit the user communications in the third format.

9. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises a switch.

10. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises an ATM switch.

11. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises an ATM/TDM switch.

12. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises a cross connect.

13. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises a gateway system.

14. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises an interworking unit.

15. The communication system of claim 6 wherein the first communication device comprises customer premises equipment.

16. The communication system of claim 15 wherein the customer premises equipment comprises a computer.

17. The communication system of claim 15 wherein the customer premises equipment comprises a private branch exchange.

18. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first signaling processor and the first gateway device comprise a first network, and wherein the first signaling processor and the first gateway device are configured to receive calls that are destined for another network.

19. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first gateway device comprises a gateway matrix.

20. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first gateway device comprises an ATM matrix.