Telephonic communications – Plural exchange network or interconnection – With interexchange network routing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-26
2001-09-25
Smith, Creighton (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Plural exchange network or interconnection
With interexchange network routing
C379S114030, C379S115030, C379S117000, C379S133000, C379S225000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295350
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a telecommunication network.
The switching of stored switching data which describe the most favorable route determined on the basis of definable functions, is a known feature in a telecommunication network. More particularly, these switching data can be determined on the basis of costs. This “least cost routing” (LCR) is a known performance feature for a telecommunication network which comprises a private branch exchange for switching functions and a plurality of subscriber terminals connected to the private branch. The route causing the least operating costs for a communication to an external subscriber terminal i.e. situated outside the telecommunication network, is determined with the aid of LCR.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,351 has disclosed such a private branch exchange having an LCR function. The network comprises a private branch exchange to which are assigned a plurality of subscriber terminals. The private branch exchange comprises a circuit for switching functions. Furthermore, the private branch exchange is assigned a controller which comprises storage means and processing circuits for LCR functions. An input/output device (terminal), which has a keypad for entering data and an LCD display device for reading data is connected to the controller. LCR data are applied to the controller by the input/output device and are stored in the storage means. If a call from the private telecommunication network to an external subscriber is generated by a subscriber terminal, the controller will determine the route to the called other subscriber which has the least operating costs per time interval on the basis of the LCR data stored in this controller.
LCR data are stored in tables in the storage means. Codes which are called up at an external subscriber when a call is generated and which determine the least cost route to the external subscriber are stored under specific addresses. Start and end of the route are determined by the call numbers of the calling internal subscriber and of the called external subscriber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a telecommunication network which renders, with the aid of switching data (for example, LCR functions), the respective most favorable route available to subscribers to the telecommunication network whose positions are at least partially wide apart.
The object is achieved in that a plurality of mutually coupled private branch exchanges are provided to which are assigned storage means for storing switching data and which comprise processing means for determining the most favorable route in dependence on the stored switching data to a subscriber terminal arranged inside or outside the telecommunication network, an outgoing route from one of the private branch exchanges being led through one or more of the other private branch exchanges and/or through one or more other telecommunication networks.
Such a telecommunication system is advantageous for all the users who use a plurality of internetworked private branch exchanges which make different accesses to one or more other networks possible and can utilize, for example, low-cost links between the private branch exchanges. In addition to the aspect of cost saving, the switching data can also be determined from other points of view such as, for example, from the point of view of transmission capacity or data integrity. Users are in particular large enterprises having distributed branches, which have a respective private branch exchange with a plurality of subscriber terminals. Basically, there may be assumed that a communication between the private branch exchanges lead to highly favorable conditions as regards charges. The private branch exchanges are then preferably connected to each other by point-to-point radio communication lines i.e. through fixedly switched telephone line hired from an official network provider. But also different types of connection instead of these point-to-point radio communication lines are conceivable, for example, microwave links. A subscriber to the telecommunication system according to the invention is connected to an external subscriber by a route which leads via the most favorable interface as regards charges, for example, between the telecommunication network and another network (for example, public network). With the telecommunication network according to the invention there may particularly be utilized that private branch exchanges are further apart. For example, an access to a public network will generally be effected via a respective interface of a private branch exchange which is located in the neighborhood of the called subscriber, while the private branch exchange of the calling internal subscriber may be located remote from such a private branch exchange. When the most suitable interface is selected, different charges of the different public networks are taken into account when there are a plurality of public telecommunication networks available. Furthermore, links between internal subscribers of the telecommunication network are generally led through routes within the network. More particularly, the arising costs may be minimized by the communication system according to the invention.
An embodiment of the invention provides that at least one of the private branch exchanges comprises a PC which is used for influencing the switching functions of the associated private branch exchange and which includes said storage means and processing means.
Contrary to solutions by integrated functions for route allocation based on switching data in the switching software of private branch exchanges, there is a saving of costs, more particularly of working time, when there are changes (for example, of charges). Changes in the switching software of private branch exchanges are costly and complex and, generally, only executable by skilled service staff. The use of a PC with respective user-friendly system interfaces makes a considerable simplification possible here. In addition, the available memory in the switching centers (private branch exchanges TC systems) in the private branch exchanges is limited. A PC can render additional and easily expandable memories available here. Also the processing capacity of such switching centers is limited by the limited speed and the total capacity of the processors used, which is problematic especially in complicated private communication networks having a plurality of internetworked private branch exchanges in view of a fast computation of the most favorable route between two subscribers. This problem is all the more felt when, additionally, a choice can be made between different public networks. The shift of the destination of the most favorable route in a PC also solves this problem on account of the increased total processing capacity.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the switching data are updated by a long-range data transmission from a central unit used for centrally determining the switching data, through the telecommunication network to all the private branch exchanges.
The LCR functions of the whole private telecommunication network can be adapted, for example, to changes of charges in this manner within a brief period of time. The central management and determination of the LCR data guarantee that a global and thus optimum, adaptation of the LCR data is effected when changes of charges occur. A decentralized adaptation of LCR data would lead, especially with complex networks, to more costs of operating time and the danger of errors which are linked with a non-optimum routing.
The invention relates to a private branch exchange for a telecommunication network described above, comprising storage means in which the switching data are stored and comprising processing means for influencing the switching functions of the private branch exchange in dependence on the switched data.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further explained below with reference to the drawings. More particularly, a private telecommunication network wi
Gappisch Holger
Maab Henning
Schreyer Oliver
Biren Steven R.
Bui Bing
Smith Creighton
U.S. Philips Corporation
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