Implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based forwarding service

• US 8,194,842 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruening, Gregory, Roman, Marcus, Gillespie, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): HONG, HARRY S
• Application Number:
  US12/401,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20090168988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 379/211.02, 379/211.04, 379/221.12, 379/221.09, 379/221.14, 379/221.08, 379/221.1, 379/207.02
• US Class Current: 379/207.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4217 Managing service interactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0041 involving techniques for avoiding interaction of call service features

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based call-forwarding service. In the present invention, the switch-based call-forwarding generates an Off-Hook Delay (OHD) trigger. In response, the SSP suspends call processing and sends the forward-to number to the SCP. Based upon the SCP'"'"'s determination of whether the forward-to number is for voicemail and other criteria such as time of day, day of the week, etc, the SCP determines whether the switch-based call-forward should be permitted or inhibited.

Claims

1. A method for routing calls in an Advanced Intelligent Network, the method comprising:

detecting an off-hook delay trigger in a service switching point (“

SSP”

), the off-hook delay trigger comprising a forward-to number and indicating a switch-based call forward attempt from a subscriber line to the forward-to number;

suspending call processing to the forward-to number based upon the detected off-hook delay trigger; and

determining, while call processing is suspended, whether the call forward should be permitted, based on the forward-to number.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message to a service control point (“

SCP”

) while call processing is suspended.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the message includes the forward-to number to which the call-forward attempt is made.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number;

wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises determining whether the call forward should be permitted based on whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:

preventing the call-forward based upon a determination that the forward-to number is a voicemail number.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

forwarding the call to more than one subscriber line prior to detecting an off-hook delay trigger.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises permitting the switch-based call forward.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forwarding the call to voicemail.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

forwarding the call to a second subscriber line.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the message is an infocollected message, and wherein the infocollected message further comprises a specific digit string associated with the subscriber line.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:

evaluating one or more criteria to determine whether the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers other than the forward-to number.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a time of day.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a day of week.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:

determining that the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers selected from the group consisting of a business number associated with the subscriber line, a residential number associated with the subscriber line, and a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the off-hook delay trigger indicates a call-forward on busy attempt or a call-forward on no answer attempt.

16. A system for routing calls, the system comprising:

a service control point (“

SCP”

); and

a service switching point (“

SSP”

) in communication with the SCP and associated with a subscriber line, the a subscriber line having switch-based call forwarding associated therewith, the SSP being configured to;

detect an off-hook delay trigger, the off-hook delay trigger comprising a forward-to number and indicating a switch-based call forward attempt from a subscriber line to the forward-to number;

suspend call processing to the forward-to number based upon the detected off-hook delay trigger; and

determine, while call processing is suspended, whether the call forward should be permitted, based on the forward-to number.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the SSP is further configured to:

send a message to the SCP while call processing is suspended, the message comprising the forward-to number.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the message is an infocollected message, and wherein the infocollected message further comprises a specific digit string associated with the subscriber line.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the SSP is further configured to:

determine whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number;

wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises determining whether the call forward should be permitted based on whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted further comprises:

evaluating one or more criteria to determine whether the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers other than the forward-to number.