System and method for transporting a call in a telecommunication network

• US 7,545,824 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2005
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Wiley, William Lyle, DuRee, Albert Daniel, Nelson, Tracy Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, PHUC H
• Application Number:
  US11/081,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20050157739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 370351-356, 370401-402, 370/466, 370/522, 370/524
• US Class Current: 370/426
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0046 User Network Interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0066 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5614 User Network Interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/62 based on trigger specification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42289 with carrierprovider selection by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/129 Details of providing call progress tones or announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A signaling processor processes a first message to select a TDM connection for the call and transfers a second message indicating the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit receives the second message and user communications for the call in a packet format, converts the user communications from the packet format to a TDM format, and transfers the user communications in the TDM format over the selected TDM connection. The interworking unit monitors the user communications for a trigger after call set-up and during the call, and if the trigger is detected, transfers a third message indicating the trigger. The signaling processor receives and processes the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and transfers a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.

Claims

1. A method of operating a communication system, the method comprising:

in a signaling processor, receiving and processing a first message for a call to select a time division multiplex connection for the call, and transferring a second message indicating the selected time division multiplex connection;

in an interworking unit, receiving the second message indicating the selected time division multiplex connection, receiving user communications for the call in a packet format, converting the user communications from the packet format to a time division multiplex format, and transferring the user communications in the time division multiplex format over the selected time division multiplex connection;

in the interworking unit, after call set-up and during the call, monitoring the user communications for a trigger, and if the trigger is detected, transferring a third message indicating the trigger; and

in the signaling processor, receiving and processing the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and transferring a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the service platform, applying an interactive application to the call.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the service platform, providing a conference bridge for the call.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

in the signaling processor, processing the third message to select an interactive application for the call and transferring a fifth message indicating the selected interactive application; and

in the service platform, receiving the fifth message indicating the selected interactive application and applying the selected interactive application to the call.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the packet format comprises asynchronous transfer mode.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein in the signaling processor, receiving the first message comprises receiving the first message from an internet protocol link.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the signaling processor, processing the first message to transfer a signaling system seven message for the call indicating the selected time division multiplex connection.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the trigger comprises a tone.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the trigger comprises a voice command.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the trigger comprises an on-hook.

11. A communication system comprising:

a signaling processor configured to receive and process a first message for a call to select a time division multiplex connection for the call and transfer a second message indicating the selected time division multiplex connection;

an interworking unit configured to receive the second message indicating the selected time division multiplex connection, receive user communications for the call in a packet format, convert the user communications from the packet format to a time division multiplex format, and transfer the user communications in the time division multiplex format over the selected time division multiplex connection;

the interworking unit configured to monitor the user communications for a trigger after call set-up and during the call, and if the trigger is detected, to transfer a third message indicating the trigger; and

the signaling processor configured to receive and process the third message to select routing information for routing the call to a service platform and to transfer a fourth message indicating the selected routing information to route the call to the service platform.

12. The communication system of claim 11 further comprising the service platform configured to apply an interactive application to the call.

13. The communication system of claim 11 further comprising the service platform configured to provide a conference bridge for the call.

14. The communication system of claim 11 further comprising:

the signaling processor configured to process the third message to select an interactive application for the call and transfer a fifth message indicating the selected interactive application; and

the service platform configured to receive the fifth message indicating the selected interactive application and apply the selected interactive application to the call.

15. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the packet format comprises asynchronous transfer mode.

16. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the signaling processor is configured to receive the first message from an internet protocol link.

17. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the signaling processor is configured to process the first message to transfer a signaling system seven message for the call indicating the selected time division multiplex connection.

18. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the trigger comprises a tone.

19. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the trigger comprises a voice command.

20. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the trigger comprises an on-hook.