Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-31
2003-10-14
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S352000, C370S363000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06633562
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to telecommunications and more particularly to improvements in digital provisioning for voice services.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
For the majority of the history of telecommunications, voice has been the predominant application. Indeed, only recently has data transmission become significant. Nevertheless, the advances that have been made in data communications have been so profound that it is not unusual for modern data communications technology to be applied to carrying voice, in addition to data.
Many of the improvements in data communications relate to packet switching. Different varieties of data communication technology falling under the class of packet switching include Frame Relay (hereinafter also FR), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet Protocol (IP), voice over Internet Protocol, SMDS, cell relay networks or the like.
Packet switching networks provide a payload transport capability which is applied to voice communication purposes. However, packet switching networks lack other services which are typically found in the voice dedicated network. For example, the routing or addressing facilities typically found in a voice network are not present in a packet switching network and accordingly, in order to provide packet switched transport capability for voice, some accommodation must be made for routing calls.
More particularly, when a voice switch such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) is adapted for service over the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) addressing information is carried in the so called D channel. When adapting a PBX to connect to a Frame Relay (FR) network, the D channel, sourced at the PBX, terminates at an attachment device or more particularly, a Frame Relay Attachment Device (FRAD).
In this configuration, the FRAD is designed to provide a routing service to the PBX. The FRAD is capable of directing the call setup message to a particular Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) in the FR network so as to access the called terminal. In order to provide this service, however, the FRAD needs a correlation between terminal address (in voice applications this is the same as a telephone number or extension) and FR network channel. One of the difficulties with carrying voice services over packet switched networks is the problem of providing the FRAD or the like with this information. Complicating the problem is the dynamic nature of the information, requiring it to be constantly updated and/or revised so that it is accurate.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention solves the foregoing problem and provides technical advantages as described below. In particular, with respect to one aspect, the invention provides a method of enhancing the provision of voice services via packet switched facilities in which a voice switch is connected to the packet switched facilities using an associated attachment device, the method including:
storing, in plural attachment devices, information respecting voice terminals accessible through the associated voice switch;
generating a request from a particular attachment device to another attachment device for information respecting voice terminals accessible via the another attachment device's associated voice switch; and
storing at the particular attachment device information received in response to the request.
With respect to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for providing enhanced voice services via packet switched facilities including a voice switch connecting to the packet switched facilities with an associated attachment device, the system including:
means in plural attachment devices for storing information respecting voice terminals accessible through the associated voice switch;
means in plural attachment devices for generating a request to another attachment device for information respecting voice terminals accessible via the another attachment device's associated voice switch; and
second storing means in plural attachment devices for storing information received in response to the request.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4706081 (1987-11-01), Hart et al.
patent: 4764919 (1988-08-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 5182748 (1993-01-01), Sakata et al.
patent: 5218676 (1993-06-01), Ben-Ayed et al.
patent: 5251207 (1993-10-01), Abensour et al.
patent: 5303237 (1994-04-01), Bergman et al.
patent: 5313465 (1994-05-01), Perlman et al.
patent: 5353336 (1994-10-01), Hou et al.
patent: 5361259 (1994-11-01), Hunt et al.
patent: 5434850 (1995-07-01), Fielding et al.
patent: 5490141 (1996-02-01), Lai et al.
patent: 5502712 (1996-03-01), Akita
patent: 5513172 (1996-04-01), Shikama et al.
patent: 5517620 (1996-05-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 5521909 (1996-05-01), Holloway et al.
patent: 5521914 (1996-05-01), Mavraganis et al.
patent: 5568605 (1996-10-01), Clouston et al.
patent: 5587999 (1996-12-01), Endo
patent: 5600641 (1997-02-01), Duault et al.
patent: 5675578 (1997-10-01), Gruber et al.
patent: 5692126 (1997-11-01), Templeton et al.
patent: 5734654 (1998-03-01), Shirai et al.
patent: 5739919 (1998-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5805690 (1998-09-01), Koepper et al.
patent: 5987034 (1999-11-01), Simon et al.
patent: 6069890 (2000-05-01), White et al.
patent: 6161008 (2000-12-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6292495 (2001-09-01), Von Hammerstein et al.
patent: 6317793 (2001-11-01), Toyosawa
PeopleSoft, Inc., “PeopleSoft WAN Testing”, 1997, pp. 1-7.
Boyd Christopher L.
Pruitt Hassen
Kizou Hassan
MCI Communications Corporation
Tsegaye Saba
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus using enhanced attachment for improved... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus using enhanced attachment for improved..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus using enhanced attachment for improved... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3131488