System and method for providing enhanced services for a telecommunication call

• US 6,697,340 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
• 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, Nelson, Tracy Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): VINCENT, DAVID ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US10/336,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20030148783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 370/259, 370/260-5, 370/351-3, 370/355-6, 370/389, 370/395.1, 370/397, 370/399, 370/395.2, 370/395.3, 370/464-7, 370/475, 379/67.1, 379/68, 379/85, 379/88.01, 379/88.09, 379/88.16, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.22, 379/88.25, 379/88.26, 379/93.01, 379/142.07, 379/142.18, 379/157, 379/158, 379/201.01, 379/202.01, 379/203.01, 379/204.01, 379/207.01, 379/220.01, 379/221.14
• US Class Current: 370/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0066 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0089 Multiplexing, e.g. coding, scrambling, SONET
• 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 49/20 Support for services
• 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 49/3009 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 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• 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 2213/13196 : Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 : Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• 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 3/0016 : 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

A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications. The reverse process can also take place with the dynamic transfer, in real time, of the processed user communications back to the communication device in asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify the connection to the communication device.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a signaling processor configured to receive and process Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling for a call, and in response, to generate and transfer control messaging indicating identifiers that are used for routing; and

a service platform system configured to receive the control messaging, and in response, to exchange communications that include the identifiers to interact with a caller to provide a service.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service platform system is configured to generate and transfer a service complete message after interacting with the caller to provide the service.

3. The communication system of claim 2 wherein the signaling processor is configured to receive and process the service complete message, and in response, to generate and transfer a routing instruction for the call.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service platform system is configured to convert the communications between a time division multiplex format and another format where the communications include the identifiers.

5. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service comprises a calling card service.

6. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service comprises a teleconference service.

7. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service comprises a voice mail service.

8. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service comprises a call forwarding service.

9. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service includes voice recognition processing.

10. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the service includes tone detection processing.

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

in a signaling processor, receiving and processing Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling for a call, and in response, generating and transferring control messaging indicating identifiers that are used for routing; and

in a service platform system, receiving the control messaging, and in response, exchanging communications that include the identifiers to interact with a caller to provide a service.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising, in the service platform system, generating and transferring a service complete message after interacting with the caller to provide the service.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising, in the signaling processor, receiving and processing the service complete message, and in response, generating and transferring a routing instruction for the call.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein exchanging the communications that include the identifiers comprises converting the communications between a time division multiplex format and another format where the communications include the identifiers.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises a calling card service.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises a teleconference service.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises a voice mail service.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the service comprises a call forwarding service.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the service includes voice recognition processing.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the service includes tone detection processing.