System and method for controlling a call processing system

• US 6,895,088 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Jennings, Charles Arthur, Nelson, Tracy Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AGDEPPA, HECTOR A
• Application Number:
  US09/317,103
• Time in Patent Office: 2,188 Days
• Field of Search: 379/219, 379/214.01, 379157-16601, 379/171, 37926501-2661
• US Class Current: 379/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/06 using auxiliary connections for control or supervision , e.g. where the auxiliary connection is a signalling system number 7 link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A system and method for managing a call processing system includes a signaling interface that receives and processes message parameters and call signaling and transmits and receives call signaling and message parameters to and from a call processor. A call processor processes call signaling to select connections for calls. An interworking unit interworks user communications between time division multiplex (TDM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections. An ATM matrix connects user communications between ATM connections. A call process control system (CPCS) manages the call processing elements including the signaling interface, the call processor, the interworking unit, and the ATM matrix. The CPCS provides call management applications such as call trace, call tap, remote call control, accounting, configuration of the call processing elements, and interfacing between external devices and the call processing elements.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

a plurality of signaling processors, wherein each of the signaling processors includes a call processing table and each of the signaling processors is configured to receive signaling for a call, process the signaling based on the call processing table to select an identifier for routing the call, and transmit a control message identifying the identifier;

a plurality of connection systems, wherein each of the connection systems is configured to receive user communications for a call, receive a control message that includes an identifier for routing the call, interwork the user communications based on the identifier in the control message to control the point of interworking, and transmit the user communications that include the identifier for routing the call; and

a call processing control system coupled to the signaling processors and configured to receive call processing data from the signaling processors, process the call processing data to generate updated call processing tables, and transmit the updated call processing tables to the signaling processors to remotely control call processing.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the call processing control system comprises:

a human machine interface cored to provide an interface for an operator to enter the call processing data to generate the updated call processing tables.

3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein the call processing control system comprises:

a user security configuration system configured to allow selected operators to enter the call processing data to generate the undated call processing tables.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the call processing control system receives the call processing data from an operations center.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the call processing control system comprises:

a regional craft view system configured to allow an operations center to view configurations of the signaling processors.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the call processing tables include a called number table.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the call processing tables include a routing table.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the call processing tables include an automatic number identification table.

9. The communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the connection systems is configured to interwork the user communications between non-asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the connection systems is configured to interwork the user communications between time division multiplexed (TDM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (AIM) connections.

11. A method of operating a communication system comprising a plurality of signaling processors, a plurality of connection systems, and a call processing control system, the method comprising:

in each of the signaling processors, receiving signaling for a call, processing the signaling based on the call processing table to select an identifier for routing the call, and transmitting a control message identifying the identifier;

in each of the connection systems, receiving user communications for a call, receiving a control message that includes an identifier for routing the call, interworking the user communications based on the identifier in the control message to control the point of interworking, and transmitting the user communications that include the identifier for routing the call; and

in the call processing control system, receiving call processing data from the signaling processors, processing the call processing data to generate updated call processing tables, and transmitting the updated call processing tables to the signaling processors to remotely control call processing.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the call processing control system further comprises a human machine interface, the method further comprising:

in the human machine interface, providing an interface for an operator to enter the call processing data to generate the updated call processing tables.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the call processing control system further comprises a user security configuration system the method further comprising:

in the user security configuration system, allowing selected operators to enter the call processing data to generate the updated call processing tables.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the call processing data comprises:

receiving the call processing data from an operations center.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the call processing system further comprises a regional craft view system, the method further comprising:

in the regional craft view system, allowing an operations center to view configurations of the signaling processors.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the call processing tables include a called number table.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the call processing tables include a routing table.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the call processing tables include an automatic number identification table.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein interworking the user communications comprises:

interworking the user communications between non-asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein interworking the user communications comprises:

interworking the user communications between time division multiplexed (TDM) connections and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections.