System for managing telecommunications

• US 7,394,894 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• 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, Bahl, Manu Chand, Duree, Albert Daniel, Gardner, Michael Joseph, Sbisa, Daniel Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Deane, Jr.; William J.
• Application Number:
  US11/434,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20060203984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 379/186, 379/188, 379/196, 379/200, 379/207.02, 379/219, 379/220.01, 379/201.01, 379/207.07, 379 9101- 9103, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/127.01, 379/127.02, 379/127.06, 379/114.24, 379133-134, 379/145
• US Class Current: 379/188
• 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

A signaling processor receives a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call. The signaling processor processes the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required. If the call validation is not required, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation. If the call validation is required, then the signaling processor determines if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then the signaling processor processes the called telephone number to determine the routing information. The signaling processor transfers a second signaling message indicating the routing information for the call.

Claims

1. A signaling processor to process signaling for a call from a caller:

a signaling interface configured to receive a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call;

a call manager configured to process the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required, and if the call validation is not required, then to process the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation, but if the call validation is required, then to determine if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then to process the called telephone number to determine the routing information; and

the signaling interface further configured to transfer a second signaling message indicating the routing in formation for the call.

2. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the call manager is configured to validate the call by checking a caller number for the call.

3. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein The call manager is configured to validate the call by determining if a billing problem exists for the caller.

4. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the first signaling message comprises a signaling system seven message.

5. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the signaling interface is configured to transfer the second signaling message over an internet protocol link.

6. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the first signaling message comprises a signaling system seven message and wherein the signaling interface is configured to transfer the second signaling message over an internet protocol link.

7. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein a first network element transfers the first signaling message and a second network element receives the second signaling message and wherein the signaling interface and the call manager are external to the first network element and the second network element.

8. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the route information indicates a connection.

9. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the route information indicates a wireless connection.

10. The signaling processor of claim 1 wherein the route information indicates a virtual connection.

11. A method of operating a signaling processor to process signaling for a call from a caller:

receiving a first signaling message indicating a called telephone number for the call;

processing the called telephone number from the first signaling message to determine if call validation is required;

if the call validation is not required, then processing the called telephone number to determine routing information without the call validation;

if the call validation is required, then determining if the call is valid, and if the call is valid, then processing the called telephone number to determine the routing information; and

transferring a second signaling message indicating the routing information for the call.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein validating the call comprises checking a caller number for the call.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein validating the call comprises determining if a billing problem exists for the caller.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first signaling message comprises a signaling system seven message.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein transferring the second signaling message comprises transferring the second signaling message over an internet protocol link.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first signaling message comprises a signaling system seven message and wherein transferring the second signaling message comprises transferring the second signaling message over an internet protocol link.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein a first network element transfers the first signaling message and a second network element receives the second signaling message and wherein the signaling processor is external to the first network element and the second network element.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the route information indicates a connection.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the route information indicates a wireless connection.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the route information indicates a virtual connection.