Automated mass calling control for public switched telephone networks employing a packet based virtual tandem
First Claim
1. A system for controlling telephone calls through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) wherein a packet transport network is employed to transport telephone calls between end systems within the PSTN, the system comprising:
- a plurality of interworking elements to provide interworking functionality between TDM switches in the PSTN and said packet transport network; and
a centralized call server to independently provide tracking and recording functionality respecting telephone calls through said system;
said call server including means to detect a mass calling event and to regulate calls to a dialed number for which a mass calling has been detected; and
said call server including means to detect the end of a mass event and to end regulation of calls to a dialed number upon detection of an end to a mass calling events, further having a credit bucket mechanism for use in controlling to a dialed number in which a mass calling event has been detected, said credit mechanism including a timer to set an interval for issuing credit tokens to said bucket and a detector to determine if any credits are in the bucket upon receipt of a new call attempt to said dialed number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This patent concerns a system and method for detecting a mass calling event in a telephone system and to regulate telephone calls to a call destination for which a mass calling event has been detected where a packet transport network and Call Server is integrated into the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A packet transport network and a central Call Server implement switching functionality traditionally provided by numerous Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) switches within the PSTN. A credit bucket mechanism is used for call regulation in a mass calling event. The packet network may be based on (but is not limited to) ATM, Frame Relay, or IP packet protocols.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for controlling telephone calls through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) wherein a packet transport network is employed to transport telephone calls between end systems within the PSTN, the system comprising:
- a plurality of interworking elements to provide interworking functionality between TDM switches in the PSTN and said packet transport network; and
a centralized call server to independently provide tracking and recording functionality respecting telephone calls through said system;
said call server including means to detect a mass calling event and to regulate calls to a dialed number for which a mass calling has been detected; and
said call server including means to detect the end of a mass event and to end regulation of calls to a dialed number upon detection of an end to a mass calling events, further having a credit bucket mechanism for use in controlling to a dialed number in which a mass calling event has been detected, said credit mechanism including a timer to set an interval for issuing credit tokens to said bucket and a detector to determine if any credits are in the bucket upon receipt of a new call attempt to said dialed number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a plurality of interworking elements to provide interworking functionality between TDM switches in the PSTN and said packet transport network; and
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15. A method of controlling telephone calls through the public switch telephone network wherein a packet transport network is employed to transport telephone calls between end systems within the PSTN the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of internetworking elements to provide inter-working functionality between TDM switches in the PSTN and said packet transport and providing a centralized call server to independently provide tracking and recording functionality through the PSTN the call server including means to detect a mass calling event and to regulate calls to a dialed number for which a mass calling event has been detected, and said call server including means to detect the end of a mass calling event and to end regulation of calls to a dialed number upon detection of an end to a mass calling events, further having a credit bucket mechanism for use in controlling calls to a dialed number in which a mass calling event has been detected, said credit mechanism including a timer to set an interval for issuing credit tokens to said bucket and a detector to determine if any credits are in the bucket upon receipt of a new call attempt to said dialed number.
Specification