Telecommunications apparatus, system, and method with an enhanced signal transfer point

• US 7,471,698 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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, Duree, Albert Daniel, Gardner, Michael Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chou; Albert T.
• Application Number:
  US10/408,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20030189941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,093 Days
• Field of Search: 370/469, 370/428, 379/230, 709/223
• US Class Current: 370/469
• 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 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5672 Multiplexing, e.g. coding, scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/253 using establishment or release of connections between ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/255 Control mechanisms for ATM switching fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/50 Overload detection or protection within a single switching element
• 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 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13167 Redundant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• 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 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1338 : Inter-exchange connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 : Virtual channel/circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13527 : protocols - X.25, TCAP etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 : Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 : Provisions for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for converting point codes in a signal transfer point in a telecommunications signaling system. The STP converts point codes which designate the origination and destination signaling points for the message. The conversion is based on information defined by the messages, such as origination or destination information. The present invention creates a virtual signaling system which can be reconfigured at the STP by converting point codes, and thus, altering the identities of the signaling points. The present invention is also operable to convert circuit identification codes and transfer integrated services user part messages to a user part.

Claims

1. A signaling network, comprising:

a signaling transfer point configured to receive a call-related signaling message having a first point code, convert the first point code to a second point code in the signaling message, transfer the signaling message having the second point code, generate a management message having the second point code, convert the second point code to the first point code in the management message, and transfer the management message; and

a signaling system configured to receive the management message from the signaling transfer point.

2. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the signaling message comprises a Signaling System #7 message.

3. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the signaling transfer point is configured to convert the second point code to the first point code in the management message based on a destination point code of the management message.

4. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the signaling transfer point is configured to convert the second point code to the first point code in the management message based on an origination point code of the management message.

5. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the signaling system comprises a switch.

6. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the signaling transfer point is configured to:

identify a problem with a link associated with the second point code, and

convert the second point code to the first point code in the management message responsive to identifying the problem.

7. The signaling network of claim 6, wherein the problem with the link comprises congestion on the link.

8. The signaling network of claim 6, wherein the signaling system is configured to:

process the management message to avoid transmitting signaling messages to the first point code.

9. The signaling network of claim 1, wherein the management message comprises a transfer restricted message.

10. A method of operating a signaling network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a call-related signaling message having a first point code in a signaling transfer point; and

in the signaling transfer point,

converting the first point code to a second point code in the signaling message;

transferring the signaling message having the second point code,

generating a management message having the second point code,

converting the second point code to the first point code in the management message, and

transferring the management message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the signaling message comprises a Signaling System #7 message.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of convening the second point code to the first point code in the management message comprises:

convening the second point code to the first point code in the management message based on a destination point code of the management message.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of convening the second point code to the first point code in the management message comprises:

convening the second point code to the first point code in the management message based on an origination point code of the management message.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the signaling system comprises a switch.

15. The method of claim 10, funher comprising the steps of:

in the signaling transfer point,

identifying a problem with a link associated with the second point code, and

convening the second point code to the first point code in the management message responsive to identifying the problem.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the problem with the link comprises congestion on the link.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the management message in a signaling system, and

processing the management message in the signaling system to avoid transmitting signaling messages to the first point code.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the management message comprises a transfer restricted message.