Communicating voice over a packet-switching network

• US 7,212,522 B1
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Auerbach, David, Hughes, David, Rednor, Fred R., Shankar, Udaya, Shriver, Douglas, West, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/888,259
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport

Abstract

Communicating voice over a packet-switching network is implemented on a telecommunications network that includes the packet-switching network, two coding units coupled to the packet-switching network and to an originating node and a terminating node, respectively, and at least one signaling apparatus. The first of the two coding units is configured to extract signaling data associated with the voice call and transmit the signaling data and its network address to the signaling apparatus. Signaling data for establishing the voice call is received by the signaling apparatus, and a network address of the coding unit in the packet-switching network is obtained. The second coding unit is controlled to establish a bearer channel with the first coding unit for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network, based on the network address.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a voice call through a packet-switching network, comprising:

receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call, wherein the first signaling data conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol, by;

a first abstract machine generating a universal call message and transmitting the universal call message to a second abstract machine, and

based on receiving the universal call message, the second abstract machine generating the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call through the packet-switching network;

transmitting the second signaling data to the terminating signaling unit; and

causing a bearer channel to be established for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving the first signaling data from an originating call node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminating signaling protocol includes any extension of the Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes obtaining a network address of an originating coding unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the network address of an originating coding unit includes:

transmitting a first message to the originating coding unit requesting the network address of the originating coding unit; and

receiving a second message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol includes a universal call reference and a network address of an originating coding unit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes generating the second signaling data using a protocol converter that includes one or more abstract machine components.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine includes:

the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to an intermediate abstract machine to cause the intermediate abstract machine to;

communicate with an originating coding unit, and

based on communicating with the originating coding unit, the intermediate abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the intermediate abstract machine obtaining the network address of the originating coding unit.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing an originating coding unit to modify the bearer channel.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising negotiating compression and decoding levels with the terminating signaling unit.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a terminating coding unit automatically determines the common capabilities of an originating coding unit, and the terminating signaling unit transmits a request to modify the bearer channel to an originating signaling unit.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the bearer channel to be established includes receiving an alerting message from the terminating signaling unit, and in response to the alerting message, causing a coding unit to create an end-to-end bearer channel.

14. A method of establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network, comprising:

receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call;

based on receiving the signaling data, causing an originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for an end to end bearer channel;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call in the packet-switching network;

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit;

causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit;

receiving a call alerting message from the terminating signaling unit; and

based on receiving the call alerting message, causing the originating coding unit to establish the end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

selecting a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the selected call instance.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

creating a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the created call instance.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the call instance includes a protocol converter for generating signaling data in a terminating signaling protocol.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes specifying a particular bearer channel to obtained by the originating coding unit.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes

causing the originating coding unit to obtain a network address;

and

receiving a message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein:

receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol; and

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit includes transmitting the second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol to the terminating signaling unit.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit includes,

causing the terminating coding unit to negotiate with the originating coding unit to determine an appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating coding unit to transmit to the terminating signaling unit, a message containing the network address of the terminating coding unit and information regarding the appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating signaling unit to send a call setup message to the terminating node; and

causing the terminating node to send a call alerting message to the terminating signaling unit.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes causing the originating coding unit to modify the end-to-end bearer channel.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes

receiving a connect message from the terminating signaling unit;

and

based on receiving the connect message from the terminating signaling unit, transmitting the connect message to an originating node.

24. A tangible computer-readable medium carrying one or more computer instructions for establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network which, when executed by one or more processors, causes:

receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call, wherein the first signaling data conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol, by;

a first abstract machine generating a universal call message and transmitting the universal call message to a second abstract machine, and

based on receiving the universal call message, the second abstract machine generating the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call through the packet-switching network;

transmitting the second signaling data to the terminating signaling unit; and

causing a bearer channel to be established for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

25. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving the first signaling data from an originating call node.

26. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the terminating signaling protocol includes any extension of the Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) protocol.

27. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes obtaining a network address of an originating coding unit.

28. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein obtaining the network address of an originating coding unit includes:

transmitting a first message to the originating coding unit requesting the network address of the originating coding unit; and

receiving a second message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

29. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol includes a universal call reference and a network address of an originating coding unit.

30. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes generating the second signaling data using a protocol converter that includes one or more abstract machine components.

31. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine includes:

the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to an intermediate abstract machine to cause the intermediate abstract machine to;

communicate with an originating coding unit, and

based on communicating with the originating coding unit, the intermediate abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine.

32. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 31, further comprising the intermediate abstract machine obtaining the network address of the originating coding unit.

33. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising causing an originating coding unit to modify the bearer channel.

34. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising negotiating compression and decoding levels with the terminating signaling unit.

35. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein a terminating coding unit automatically determines the common capabilities of an originating coding unit, and the terminating signaling unit transmits a request to modify the bearer channel to an originating signaling unit.

36. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein causing the bearer channel to be established includes receiving an alerting message from the terminating signaling unit, and in response to the alerting message, causing a coding unit to create an end-to-end bearer channel.

37. A tangible computer-readable medium carrying one or more computer instructions for establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network which, when executed by one or more processors, causes:

receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call;

based on receiving the signaling data, causing an originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for an end to end bearer channel;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call in the packet-switching network;

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit;

causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit;

receiving a call alerting message from the terminating signaling unit; and

based on receiving the call alerting message, causing the originating coding unit to establish the end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

38. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, further comprising one or more additional instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors causes:

selecting a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the selected call instance.

39. The tangible commuter-readable medium of claim 37, further comprising one or more additional instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors causes:

creating a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the created call instance.

40. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the call instance includes a protocol converter for generating signaling data in a terminating signaling protocol.

41. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes specifying a particular bearer channel to obtained by the originating coding unit.

42. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes

causing the originating coding unit to obtain a network address;

and

receiving a message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

43. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein:

receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol; and

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit includes transmitting the second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol to the terminating signaling unit.

44. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit includes,

causing the terminating coding unit to negotiate with the originating coding unit to determine an appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating coding unit to transmit to the terminating signaling unit, a message containing the network address of the terminating coding unit and information regarding the appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating signaling unit to send a call setup message to the terminating node; and

causing the terminating node to send a call alerting message to the terminating signaling unit.

45. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes causing the originating coding unit to modify the end-to-end bearer channel.

46. The tangible computer-readable machine readable medium of claim 37, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes

receiving a connect message from the terminating signaling unit;

and

based on receiving the connect message from the terminating signaling unit, transmitting the connect message to an originating node.

47. An apparatus comprising:

a computer memory storing one or more computer instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes;

receiving first signaling data for establishing a voice call bearing voice data, wherein the first signaling data conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol, by;

a first abstract machine generating a universal call message and transmitting the universal call message to a second abstract machine, and

based on receiving the universal call message, the second abstract machine generating the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call through the packet-switching network;

transmitting the second signaling data to the terminating signaling unit; and

causing a bearer channel to be established for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving the first signaling data from an originating call node.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the terminating signaling protocol includes any extension of the Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) protocol.

50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes obtaining a network address of an originating coding unit.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein obtaining the network address of an originating coding unit includes:

transmitting a first message to the originating coding unit requesting the network address of the originating coding unit; and

receiving a second message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol includes a universal call reference and a network address of an originating coding unit.

53. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes generating the second signaling data using a protocol converter that includes one or more abstract machine components.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine includes:

the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to an intermediate abstract machine to cause the intermediate abstract machine to;

communicate with an originating coding unit, and

based on communicating with the originating coding unit, the intermediate abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising the intermediate abstract machine obtaining the network address of the originating coding unit.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising causing an originating coding unit to modify the bearer channel.

57. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising negotiating compression and decoding levels with the terminating signaling unit.

58. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein a terminating coding unit automatically determines the common capabilities of an originating coding unit, and the terminating signaling unit transmits a request to modify the bearer channel to an originating signaling unit.

59. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein causing the bearer channel to be established includes receiving an alerting message from the terminating signaling unit, and in response to the alerting message, causing a coding unit to create an end-to-end bearer channel.

60. An apparatus comprising:

a computer memory storing one or more computer instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes;

receiving signaling data for establishing a voice call bearing voice data;

based on receiving the signaling data, causing an originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for an end to end bearer channel;

identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call in the packet-switching network;

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit;

causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit;

receiving a call alerting message from the terminating signaling unit; and

based on receiving the call alerting message, causing the originating coding unit to establish the end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the memory further stores one or more additional instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors causes:

selecting a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the selected call instance.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the memory further stores one or more additional instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors causes:

creating a call instance associated with the voice call; and

forwarding the signaling data to the created call instance.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the call instance includes a protocol converter for generating signaling data in a terminating signaling protocol.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes specifying a particular bearer channel to obtained by the originating coding unit.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes

causing the originating coding unit to obtain a network address;

and

receiving a message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein:

receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

in response to receiving the first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol; and

transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit includes transmitting the second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol to the terminating signaling unit.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit includes,

causing the terminating coding unit to negotiate with the originating coding unit to determine an appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating coding unit to transmit to the terminating signaling unit, a message containing the network address of the terminating coding unit and information regarding the appropriate compression and decoding level;

causing the terminating signaling unit to send a call setup message to the terminating node; and

causing the terminating node to send a call alerting message to the terminating signaling unit.

68. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes causing the originating coding unit to modify the end-to-end bearer channel.

69. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes:

receiving a connect message from the terminating signaling unit; and

based on receiving the connect message from the terminating signaling unit, transmitting the connect message to an originating node.

70. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving first signaling data for establishing a voice call bearing voice data, wherein the first signaling data conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

means for in response to receiving the first signaling data, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol,

a first abstract machine generating a universal call message and transmitting the universal call message to a second abstract machine, and

based on receiving the universal call message, the second abstract machine generating the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol;

means for identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call through the packet-switching network;

means for transmitting the second signaling data to the terminating signaling unit; and

means for causing a bearer channel to be established for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein receiving first signaling data for establishing the voice call includes receiving the first signaling data from an originating call node.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the terminating signaling protocol includes any extension of the Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) protocol.

73. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes obtaining a network address of an originating coding unit.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein obtaining the network address of an originating coding unit includes:

transmitting a first message to the originating coding unit requesting the network address of the originating coding unit; and

receiving a second message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

75. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the second signaling data that conforms to the terminating signaling protocol includes a universal call reference and a network address of an originating coding unit.

76. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol includes generating the second signaling data using a protocol converter that includes one or more abstract machine components.

77. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine includes:

the first abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to an intermediate abstract machine to cause the intermediate abstract machine to;

communicate with an originating coding unit, and

based on communicating with the originating coding unit, the intermediate abstract machine transmitting the universal call message to the second abstract machine.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, further comprising the intermediate abstract machine obtaining the network address of the originating coding unit.

79. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising causing an originating coding unit to modify the bearer channel.

80. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising negotiating compression and decoding levels with the terminating signaling unit.

81. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein an terminating coding unit automatically determines the common capabilities of an originating coding unit, and the terminating signaling unit transmits a request to modify the bearer channel to an originating signaling unit.

82. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein causing the bearer channel to be established includes receiving an alerting message from the terminating signaling unit, and in response to the alerting message, causing a coding unit to create an end-to-end bearer channel.

83. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving signaling data for establishing a voice call bearing voice data;

means for, based on receiving the signaling data, causing an originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for an end to end bearer channel;

means for identifying a terminating signaling unit associated with a terminating node for receiving the voice call in the packet-switching network;

means for transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit;

means for causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit;

means for receiving a call alerting message from the terminating signaling unit; and

means for, based on receiving the call alerting message, causing the originating coding unit to establish the end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet-switching network.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising:

means for selecting a call instance associated with the voice call; and

means for forwarding the signaling data to the selected call instance.

85. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising:

means for creating a call instance associated with the voice call; and

means for forwarding the signaling data to the created call instance.

86. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the call instance includes a protocol converter for generating signaling data in a terminating signaling protocol.

87. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the means for causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes means for specifying a particular bearer channel to obtained by the originating coding unit.

88. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the means for causing the originating coding unit to obtain an endpoint for the bearer channel includes:

means for causing the originating coding unit to obtain a network address; and

means for receiving a message from the originating coding unit containing the network address of the originating coding unit.

89. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein:

the means for receiving signaling data for establishing the voice call bearing voice data includes means for receiving first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol;

the apparatus further comprises means for, in response to receiving the first signaling data that conforms to an originating signaling protocol, generating second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol; and

the means for transmitting the signaling data to the terminating signaling unit includes means for transmitting the second signaling data that conforms to a terminating signaling protocol to the terminating signaling unit.

90. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the means for causing, based on the signaling data received by the terminating signaling unit, a terminating coding unit associated with the terminating signaling unit to establish a connection between the terminating node and the end point for the bearer channel obtained by the originating coding unit includes:

means for causing the terminating coding unit to negotiate with the originating coding unit to determine an appropriate compression and decoding level;

means for causing the terminating coding unit to transmit to the terminating signaling unit, a message containing the network address of the terminating coding unit and information regarding the appropriate compression and decoding level;

means for causing the terminating signaling unit to send a call setup message to the terminating node; and

means for causing the terminating node to send a call alerting message to the terminating signaling unit.

91. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the means for causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes means for causing the originating coding unit to modify the end-to-end bearer channel.

92. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the means for causing the originating coding unit to establish an end-to-end bearer channel for carrying the voice data through the packet switching network includes:

means for receiving a connect message from the terminating signaling unit; and

means for, based on receiving the connect message from the terminating signaling unit, transmitting the connect message to an originating node.