Systems and methods for updating IP communication service attributes using an LDAP

• US 8,660,017 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Robohm, Kurt W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, STEVEN H D
• Application Number:
  US10/097,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20020136222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,365 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1446 inter-operator billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4523 using lightweight directory access protocol [LDAP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• 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 15/43 : Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 : for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/52 : for operator independent billing system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/53 : using mediation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 : based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 : Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8292 : Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 : Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 : On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0172 : Mediation, i.e. device or program to reformat CDRS from one or more switches in order to adapt to one or more billing programs formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 : Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 : via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A system processes calls in an Internet Protocol (IP) communications network. The system includes a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database, an LDAP sever, and a redirect server. The LDAP database stores a group of IP communication service attributes. The LDAP server receive a request for a database update, extracts the group of IP communication service attributes from the LDAP database, and transfers the extracted IP communication service attributes to the redirect server. The redirect server stores the extracted IP communication service attributes and processes a call using the stored IP communication service attributes.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at an interface and from a user, information for updating one or more Internet Protocol (IP) communication service attributes;

forwarding, by the interface, the information to a processor;

storing, by the processor, the information in a memory;

formatting the received information to produce updated records;

receiving, at the processor and from the memory, the updated records;

transferring, by the processor, the updated records to a redirect server;

storing the updated records at the redirect server;

storing, by the processor, a copy of the updated records at a database associated with a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server,

the database storing a plurality of IP communication service attributes;

sending, from the redirect server and to the LDAP server, in response to the redirect server being powered up after a period of being offline, and prior to the redirect server being brought online, a request for a database update;

extracting the plurality of IP communication service attributes from the database in response to receiving the request;

transferring the extracted IP communication service attributes to the redirect server; and

storing the plurality of IP communication service attributes at the redirect server.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

processing, after the storing the copy, a call based on one or more of the plurality of IP communication service attributes.

3. The method of claim 1 where the plurality of IP communication service attributes includes attributes relating to one or more of follow me, call blocking, call forwarding, voice mail, conference calling, single line extension, call screening, quality of service, class of service, dial-plan restrictions, dynamic registration, secondary directory number, or call transfer processing.

4. The method of claim 1 where the storing the copy includes:

storing the plurality of IP communication service attributes in a database associated with the redirect server.

5. The method of claim 1 where the sending occurs in response to a command from a user.

6. A system comprising:

a network interface to;

receive, from a user, information for updating one or more Internet Protocol (IP) communication service attributes, and

forward the received information to a process management system;

a data storage to format the received information to produce updated records;

the process management system to;

receive the information from the network interface,

forward the information to the data storage,

receive, from the data storage, the updated records,

transfer the updated records to a redirect server,

receive confirmation that the redirect server has been updated with the updated records, and

store, after the confirmation has been received, a copy of the updated records at a database associated with a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server, the database storing a plurality of IP communication service attributes;

the LDAP server to;

receive a request for a database update,

extract the plurality of IP communication service attributes from the LDAP database, and

transfer the extracted IP communication service attributes; and

the redirect server to;

receive the extracted IP communication service attributes from the LDAP server,

store the extracted plurality of IP communication service attributes, and

process a call using one or more of the stored plurality of IP communication service attributes.

7. The system of claim 6 where the plurality of IP communication service attributes includes attributes relating to one or more of follow me, call blocking, call forwarding, voice mail, conference calling, single line extension, call screening, quality of service, class of service, dial-plan restrictions, dynamic registration, secondary directory number, or call transfer processing.

8. The system of claim 6 where the redirect server is further to:

transmit the request to the LDAP server.

9. The system of claim 8 where the redirect server transmits the request automatically upon powering up.

10. The system of claim 8 where the redirect server transmits the request in response to a command from a user.

11. The system of claim 10 where the user is a system administrator.

12. The system of claim 6, where the process management system is further to:

route communications between the LDAP server and the redirect server.

13. The system of claim 6 where, when storing the extracted plurality of IP communication service attributes, the redirect server is to:

store the extracted plurality of IP communication service attributes in a database associated with the redirect server.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, at an interface and from a user, information for updating one or more Internet Protocol (IP) communication service attributes;

forwarding, by the interface, the information to a processor;

storing, by the processor, the information in a memory;

formatting the received information to produce updated records;

receiving, by the processor, the updated records;

transferring, by the processor, the updated records to a redirect server;

storing the updated records at the redirect server;

storing, by the processor, a copy of the updated records at a database associated with a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server,

the database storing a plurality of IP communication service attributes;

sending, in response to the redirect server being powered up after a period of being offline, and prior to the redirect server being brought online, a request for a database update to the LDAP server;

comparing, in response to the request, each of the plurality of records stored at the redirect server to the corresponding records stored in the database;

extracting records from the database that differ from the corresponding records stored at the redirect server;

transferring the extracted records to the redirect server; and

storing the extracted records at the redirect server.

15. The method of claim 14 where the plurality of records relate to Internet Protocol (IP) communication service attributes.

16. The method of claim 15 where the plurality of records includes attributes relating to one or more of follow me, call blocking, call forwarding, voice mail, conference calling, single line extension, call screening, quality of service, class of service, dial-plan restrictions, dynamic registration, secondary directory number, or call transfer processing.

17. The method of claim 14 where the comparing is performed by the LDAP server.

18. The method of claim 14 where the comparing is performed by the redirect server.

19. The method of claim 14 where the sending occurs in response to a command from a user.

20. The method of claim 14 where the user is a system administrator.

21. The method of claim 14 where the storing the extracted records includes:

storing the extracted records in a database associated with the redirect server.

22. A system comprising:

a network interface to;

receive, from a user, information for updating one or more Internet Protocol (IP) communication service attributes, and

forward the received information to a process management system;

a data storage to format the received information to produce updated records;

the process management system to;

receive the information from the network interface,

forward the information to the data storage,

receive, from the data storage, the updated records,

transfer the updated records to the redirect server,

receive confirmation that the redirect server has been updated with the updated records, and

store, when the confirmation has been received, a copy of the updated records at a database associated with a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server,

the database storing a second configuration of records corresponding to the first configuration of records; and

the LDAP server to;

receive a request for a partial database update from the redirect server,

compare the first configuration of records to the second configuration of records,

extract records from the second configuration that differ from the corresponding records in the first configuration, and

transfer the extracted records to the redirect server for storage.

23. The system of claim 22 where the first configuration of records and the second configuration of records include IP communication service attributes.

24. The system of claim 23 where the first configuration of records and the second configuration of records include attributes relating to one or more of follow me, call blocking, call forwarding, voice mail, conference calling, single line extension, call screening, quality of service, class of service, dial-plan restrictions, dynamic registration, secondary directory number, or call transfer processing.

25. The system of claim 22 where the redirect server sends the partial database update request automatically in response to the redirect server powering up.

26. The system of claim 22 where the redirect server sends the partial database update request in response to a command from a user.

27. The system of claim 26 where the user is a system administrator.

28. The system of claim 22 where the LDAP server transfers the extracted records to the redirect server for storage in a database associated with the redirect server.