Virtual private network for a telephone network

Details Virtual private network for a telephone network Virtual private network for a telephone network

1998-02-10

2001-01-16

Zele, Krista (Department: 2742)

Telephonic communications

Special services

Call diversion

C379S207030, C379S219000, C379S220010, C379S221050

Reexamination Certificate

active

06175622

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to telephony services and more particularly to a method and system for providing private network features to subscribers over public or shared facilities.
BACKGROUND
As competition intensifies between service providers of telephony services, providers are looking for services which provide greater value and flexibility for their subscribers. A common service for many users of telephony services, or subscribers, is a private network. A private network allows the subscriber to customize billing and network management of their telephone system.
A common feature of a private network is a dialing plan. A dialing plan can reassign one or more extensions to different numbers. For example, a business may establish a private network with each extension of the network having the same area code and same three number prefix. With a private network, one extension in the business may connect with another extension in the business by only dialing the last four numbers of that extension. Also, pressing the number “O” in a private network will connect to the business receptionist/operator instead of a telephone company operator.
The features of a private network are very convenient and practical except for one drawback—they are not available to mobile users. That is, a subscriber using a cellular telephone, for example, cannot use the same features that are normally provided at an extension in the private network. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method for extending the features of a private network to other extensions, including wireless and/or cellular telephones.
SUMMARY
The method and system disclosed herein allows a wireline or wireless carrier to transparently provide a virtual private network to both wireless (mobile) and wireline (land-line) users. In one embodiment, the method works in a telecommunications network including a service switch point, a service control point, and a first and second telephone. The method provides a virtual private network for the first and/or second telephone by performing a series of steps.
First of all, an identifier for the first telephone is stored in a memory accessible by the service control point. Next, a first dialed number is received from the first telephone by the service switch point. The service switch point notifies the service control point to determine if the identifier for the first telephone is in the memory. If so, the service control point converts the first dialed number to a second dialed number. The service control point then provides the second dialed number, being assigned to the second telephone, to the service switch point. The service switch point may then connect the first and second telephones using the second dialed number.


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