Telephonic communications – Plural exchange network or interconnection – Interexchange signalling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-07-03
Hong, Harry S. (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Plural exchange network or interconnection
Interexchange signalling
C379S114030, C379S350000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256379
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to intelligent network systems and associated methods for conveying information.
BACKGROUND ART
The primary elements of an existing intelligent network are a switching system, a signaling network, a centralized database, and an operations support system which supports the database. In general, the switching system intercepts a call from a call source, and suspends call processing while launching a query through the signaling network to the centralized database. The database, in turn, retrieves the necessary information to handle the call, and returns that information through the signaling network to the network switch, which may be a local digital switch, so that the call can be completed. The operations support system administers the appropriate network and customer information that resides in the database.
The intelligence of the intelligent network is found at the service control points. A service control point is an on-line, real-time, fault-tolerant, transaction-processing database which provides call-handling information in response to network queries. The signaling network is made up of signal transfer points. A signal transfer point is a packet switch found in the common-channel signaling network. The signal transfer point is used to route signaling messages between network access nodes, such as switches and service control points. Signaling System
7
is a common communications protocol used in common-channel signaling networks.
In existing intelligent network architectures, including advanced intelligent network architectures, the call source is usually connected to the local call processing system before the call destination is connected. Further, when the call destination and the call source are linked together by a talk path, the local call processing system is not immediately aware of the connection because the interface may not be capable of conveying supervision information. As such, sometimes a call source is able to establish a talk path with a call destination without any record being made such as, for example, a billing record.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a method and system for conveying supervision information to a call processing system that overcomes the problems and limitations of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for conveying supervision information to a call processing system.
In carrying out the above object, a method for conveying supervision information to a call processing system using an intelligent network is provided. The intelligent network includes a signal transfer point connected to the call processing system and connected to a network switch. The call processing system is connected to the network switch by an interface. The interface need not be capable of conveying supervision information. The signal transfer point is connected to a service control point and connected to a service location register. The method comprises originating a call at the call processing system. The call has a source capable of communicating with the call processing system; and, the call has a destination. The call is received over the interface at the network switch. A query is sent from the network switch to the service control point. A routing message is sent to the network switch from the service control point in response to the query. The routing route message includes a request for subsequent information. The call is then routed from the network switch to the call destination.
The method further comprises waiting at the network switch for supervision information corresponding to the request for subsequent information from the destination. Upon receiving the supervision information at the network switch, the service control point is informed of the supervision information. The service control point sends a message to the service location register indicative of the supervision information. The service location register sends a message to the call processing system indicative of the supervision information.
The supervision information may be, for example, answer supervision information or disconnect supervision information. After receiving the supervision information, if desired, the call processing system may generate or terminate a talk path, or generate or terminate a billing record.
Further, in carrying out the above object, a system for conveying supervision information is provided. The system comprises a call processing system, a network switch, a signal transfer point, a service control point, and a service location register. The network switch is configured to wait for supervision information corresponding to the request for subsequent information from the destination, and then inform the service control point of the supervision information. The service control point is configured to send a message to the service location register indicative of the supervision information. The service location register is configured to send a message to the call processing system indicative of the supervision information which may be, for example, answer supervision information or disconnect supervision information.
Still further, in carrying out the present invention, a method for conveying supervision information in which the service control point performs the functions of a service location register in addition to the normal functions of the service control point. As such, a separate service location register is not required.
The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention are numerous. For example, systems and methods of the present invention allow the call processing system to generate or terminate a talk path between the source and the destination when the message indicative of the answer supervision information or disconnect supervision information is received at the call processing system. Further, for example, systems and methods of the present invention allow the call processing system to generate or terminate a billing record when the message indicative of the answer supervision information or disconnect supervision information is received at the call processing system. Because supervision information is sent through the signaling network, the interface need not be capable of conveying supervision information.
The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5425084 (1995-06-01), Brinskele
patent: 5710809 (1998-01-01), Mashinsky
patent: 5793839 (1998-08-01), Farris et al.
patent: 5892822 (1999-04-01), Gottlieb et al.
patent: 6055306 (2000-04-01), Lozinski et al.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Hong Harry S.
Qwest Communications International Inc.
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