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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. In a telecommunications system having a plurality of switching means
interconnected by trunks, a plurality of subscriber stations arranged in
groups with each group being served by one of said switching means, a
plurality of subscriber lines connecting each switching means with the
group of subscriber stations served thereby, a switching network in each
switching means for establishing communication paths between calling
subscriber stations and called subscriber stations addressed by the
calling stations, at least one of said switching means including means for
providing special services to subscriber stations served thereby, computer
means associated with said switching means and adapted to respond to input
signals to generate recent change signals to program switch translation
variables in said switching means, and terminals connected to said
computer means for entering programming orders, the improvement
comprising:
adjunct means associated with said computer means and connected to at least
one of said switching means which includes means for providing special
services to subscriber stations served thereby;
a multiline hunt group associated with a Remote Access Directory Number
(RADN);
said adjunct means including:
voice response means connected to said multiline hunt group; and
processor means responsive to subscriber identification and stored class of
service information (a) for recognizing that a special service is to be
provided to a subscriber station connected to one of said switch means
including means for providing special services to subscriber stations
served thereby, and (b) for generating a signal for programming said
switch means in the circuit to said subscriber station so as to effect the
modification necessary to provide the special service to that subscriber
station; and
said processor means being connected between said computer means and at
least one of said switch means for transmitting to said switch means
signals from said computer means for programming switch translation
variables originated by said terminals connected to said computer means.
2. A telecommunications system according to claim 1 wherein said switch
means connected to said processor means receives from said processor means
first switch translation programming signals responsive to signals from
said computer means to said processor means, and second switch translation
programming signals from said processor means responsive to commands from
said multiline hunt group.
3. A telecommunications system according to claim 2 including means
associated with said processor means for multiplexing said first and
second switch translation programming signals.
4. A telecommunications system according to claim 1 wherein said computer
means is connected to multiple switching means which include means for
providing special services to subscriber stations served thereby, at least
one of said switching means being of a different type than one other of
said switching means, said processor means including means to format said
generated signals for compatibility with said switch means of different
types.
5. A telecommunications system according to claim 4 wherein at least one of
said special services includes call forwarding.
6. A telecommunications system according to claim 5 wherein the formatting
of said signals is in accord with the particular switch identified by the
directory number of the subscriber station to which the special service is
to be provided.
7. A telecommunications system according to claim 1 wherein said processor
means is connected to a second switch means having a direct connection to
said computer means.
8. A telecommunications system according to claim 7 wherein said second
switch means receives first switch translation programming signals from
said computer means and second switch translation programming signals from
said processor means responsive to commands from said multiline hunt
group.
9. A method for remotely programming switch means in a telecommunications
system having a computer means associated with said switch means and
adapted to respond to input signals to generate recent change signals to
program switch translation variables in said switch means thereof
comprising the steps of:
detecting at a node between said switch means and said computer means the
receipt of a remotely transmitted signal requesting special service
programming of said switch means;
storing at least a portion of said request signal at said node;
detecting at said node the ,receipt of recent change programming signals
from said computer means;
storing at least a portion of said recent change programming signals at
said node;
transmitting from said node to said switch means multiplexed programming
signals for effecting recent change programming and special service
programming of said switch means.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the switch means includes
multiple switch means including switch means of differing types, including
the steps of:
detecting at said node a remotely transmitted signal identifying the switch
means for which a request signal is intended;
storing at least a portion of said identifying signal; and
formatting said signals transmitted from said node for compatibility with
the differing switch means to which they are directed.
11. A method according to claim 10 including the step of transmitting from
said computer means to at least one of said switch means signals to effect
recent change programming of said one switch means.
12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said special service is call
forwarding and the identifying signal comprises at least a portion of the
directory number of the telephone station to which said call forwarding
service is to be provided.
13. A method for remotely programming switch means in a telecommunications
system having multiple switch means and a computer means associated with
said switch means and adapted to respond to input signals to generate
recent change signals to program switch translation variables in said
switch means comprising the steps of:
detecting at a node connected between said switch means and said computer
means the receipt of a remotely transmitted signal requesting special
service programming of at least one of said switch means;
storing at least a portion of said request signal at said node;
formatting said stored request signal into recent change programming format
and storing said formatted signal ready for release;
detecting at said node the receipt of recent change programming signals for
at least one of said switch means from said computer means;
storing at least a portion of said recent change programming signals at
said node;
sequentially transmitting said stored programming signals from said node to
said switch means to effect recent change programming and special service
programming of said switch means.
14. A method according to claim 13 including the steps of:
detecting at said node a remotely transmitted signal identifying the switch
means in said multiple switch means for which a special service request
signal is intended;
storing said identifying signal; and
effecting said formatting responsive to the identity of the switch means
for which the special service request signal is intended.
15. A method according to claim 13 including the step of:
transmitting a recent change programming signal from said computer means
directly through said node to one of said switch means in the absence of a
special service request signal in said node.
16. A method according to claim 13 wherein said special service is call
forwarding.
17. A method for remotely and selectively programming multiple switch means
in a telecommunications system having a computer means associated with
said switch means and adapted to respond to input signals to generate
recent change signals to program switch translation variables in said
switch means comprising the steps of:
detecting at a node connected between said switch means and said computer
means the receipt of a remotely transmitted signal requesting call
forwarding programming of one of said switch means;
storing at least a portion of said request signal at said node;
identifying at said node the switch means and subscriber station for which
said request is intended;
determining at said node that said subscriber's station is entitled to the
requested call forwarding;
formatting said stored call forwarding request signal into recent change
programming format corresponding to the identified switch means and
storing said formatted signal at said node ready for release;
detecting at said node the receipt from said computer means of a recent
change programming signal for one of said switch means;
storing at least a portion of said recent change programming signal at said
node;
sequentially transmitting said stored programming signals from said node to
said switch means to effect recent change programming and call forwarding
programming of the identified switch means.
18. A method according to claim 17 including the step of:
detecting at said node the receipt from said computer means of a recent
change programming signal following said transmission from said node of
said signals and, in the absence of a special service request signal in
said node, transmitting said last mentioned signal from said computer
means directly through said node to one of said switch means.
19. In a telecommunications system having a plurality of switching means
interconnected by trunks, a plurality of subscriber stations arranged in
groups with each group being served by one of said switching means, a
plurality of subscriber lines connecting each switching means with the
group of subscriber stations served thereby, a switching network in each
switching means for establishing communication paths between calling
subscriber stations addressed by the calling stations, at least one of
said switching means including means for providing call forwarding
services to a class of subscriber stations served thereby, computer means
associated with said switching means and adapted to respond to input
signals to generate recent change signals to program switch translation
variables in said switching means, and terminals connected to said
computer means for entering programming orders, the improvement
comprising:
adjunct means associated with said computer means and connected to at least
one of said switching means which includes means for providing call
forwarding services to a class of subscriber stations served by that
switching means;
a multiline hunt group associated with a Remote Access Directory Number
(RADN);
said adjunct means including:
voice response means connected to said multiline hunt group; and
processor means responsive to subscriber identification and stored class of
service information (a) for recognizing that call forwarding service is to
be provided to a subscriber station connected to said switch means
including means for providing call forwarding services to subscriber
stations served thereby, and (b) for generating a signal for programming
said switch means so as to effect the modification necessary to provide a
requested call forwarding service to a subscriber station connected to
said switch means and in the class entitled to call forwarding services;
said processor means being connected between said computer means and said
last mentioned switch means for transmitting to said switch means signals
from said computer means for programming switch translation variables
originated by said terminals connected to said computer means.
20. A telecommunications system according to claim 19 wherein said computer
means is connected to multiple switching means which include means for
providing call forwarding services to subscriber stations served thereby,
at least one of said switching means being of a different type than one
other of said switching means, said processor means including means to
format said generated signals for compatibility with said switch means of
different types. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to remote
access to custom calling, special or enhanced services in telephone
networks and more particularly to a method and system for providing remote
access to control of call forwarding service.
BACKGROUND ART
Call Forwarding, a popular custom calling or special service in telephone
networks, has been offered in Stored Program Control (SPC) switching
systems for many years. To activate this Call Forwarding service,
subscribers have been instructed to dial an activation code followed by a
local or toll telephone or directory number (DN). Thereafter, until the
subscriber dials a de-activation code, the switching system forwards all
of the subscriber's calls to the thus entered forwarding directory number.
In effectuating this service a party served by a local SPC switch office
and who subscribes to Call Forwarding service has stored in the memory at
the office, data identifying the party as a subscriber. In addition data
is also stored at the office indicating if the service is activated and,
if so, a directory number to which incoming calls are to be forwarded.
When an incoming call is received the stored program of the office directs
the interrogation of the memory data associated with the called station to
determine if the called party subscribes to Call Forwarding service. If
not, or if the service is not activated, the call is completed to the
called station in ordinary fashion. However if a Call Forwarding service
is active for the called party the stored program obtains the forwarding
number from memory and from that point acts effectively as an originating
office with respect to the new number. That is, the office may complete
the call locally to the new number if it is served by the office, or it
may seize an outgoing trunk to another local office or to a toll network,
as the situation demands, and outpulse the new number to a distant office
to complete the call. A system of this type is illustrated in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional local telephone network
wherein a Remote Memory Administration System (RMAS) or a MIZAR computer
10 is connected to program a series of varying type Stored Program Control
(SPC) switches 12, 14, 16 and 18. RMAS and MIZAR are commercial
designations used to refer to computers which are adapted to respond to
input signals to generate so called "Recent Change" signals to Stored
Program Control (SPC) switching systems to effect changes to line and
trunk translations that have not been merged with the data base. As will
be understood, such switches are controlled by a switch computer whereby
the specific switching functions are implemented in a series of software
routines which are commonly referred to as generics. The switch computers
are distinct from the RMAS or MIZAR computer. The generics are developed
by the switch manufacturer and loaded into the switch for subsequent use
at the local switching office. Through the generics the switch is able to
provide a predefined selection of enhanced services to any local customer
that is connected to the switch. The SPC switch 14 is assumed to have
generics which include a Call Forwarding Variable (CFV) and an
Activation/Deactivation Flag (A/D) for each so subscribed loop terminating
on the switch.
The RMAS 10 is connected to the SPC switches 12-18 by Recent Change
Channels 13, 15, 17 and 19. The Recent Change Channel is a general purpose
I/0 port used for programming switch translation variables including the
CFV and A/D. A series of technician or RCMAC terminals 20, 22 and 24 are
connected to access the RMAS. As will be understood, the RMAS runs on a
separate mini-computer and provides service technicians or operators with
formatted CRT screens at terminals 20, 22 and 24 to enter service orders.
The RMAS translates the screen inputs into proper Recent Change requests
and submits them to the appropriate CO switch in an orderly fashion.
In FIG. 1 the switch 14, which is a 1AESS switch, is illustrated in detail,
it being understood that the other switches possess similar features. The
SPC switches provide for a Call Forwarding Variable (CFV) 26 and an
Activation/De-activation Flag (A/D) 28 for each subscriber loop
terminating on the switch. Two such loops 30 and 32 are shown connecting
stations 34 and 36 to the switch.
For any incoming call, if the primary destination directory number (DN) A/D
flag is in the activated state, the switch performs a translation on the
call to route it to the forwarded destination DN contained in the
associated CFV data area. With standard Call Forwarding, the CFV and A/D
must be programmed either from the subscriber's primary DN or manually by
a technician at the RMAS. Conventional Call Forwarding provides an access
code and a series of tone prompts to guide the customer through the Call
Forwarding programming sequence.
An obvious limitation of this conventional service is that the Call
Forwarding subscriber must physically be at the home or office telephone
location in order to activate or deactivate the call forwarding feature or
to change the "Forward To" number. This requires that the customer
anticipate his need for Call Forwarding before leaving the residence or
business and that he return any time that he desires to make a change.
Often, however, the need for access to the service occurs at some remote
location.
In order to overcome this limitation it has been proposed to provide a new
feature which may be referred to as Remote Access to Call Forwarding
(RACF). With Remote Access to Call Forwarding a subscriber could utilize
any telephone equipped with DTMF signaling capability, dial a special
access number, followed by a Personal Identification Number (PIN), and
then dial additional codes in order to activate or deactivate the Call
Forwarding feature. It will be understood that the PIN is a security
mechanism to prevent accidental or malicious interference with features
and/or services on other subscribers' telephone lines.
One approach to providing such service may be generally described as
follows. In many stored program control switches technicians may use the
Recent Change Administration Capability to activate and de-activate Call
Forwarding on individual subscribers' lines. If a computer such as a
personal computer is configured to emulate a technician terminal (RCMAC
terminal) accessing the Remote Memory Administration System (RMAS), users
of the remote service may dial into ports on the thus configured computer
and enter appropriate commands to cause the computer to emulate the
technician and activate or deactivate the Call Forwarding feature on the
user's line. A system of this type is illustrated in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 2 the same reference numerals are used as in describing
the conventional or standard call forwarding illustrated in FIG. 1. In the
FIG. 2 arrangement appropriate hardware in the form of a Remote Access
Features Node (RAFN) 38 is interfaced between the RMAS 10 and a hunt group
40 associated with a Remote Access Directory Number (RADN) 42. With this
configuration call forwarding requests can be collected from customers via
the hunt group, processed in the RAFN and RMAS and issued to the CO switch
14.
With this arrangement the telephone answering service interface will detect
when the customer dials the RADN and inform the RAFN or processor 38 of
the event. The processor (which may contain a voice response unit) will
direct appropriate voice messages to the customer to obtain the
information required to perform the customer's call forwarding request.
All input by the customer will be in the form of DTMF digits which will be
received by the answering service interface and passed to the processor.
When all required information has been collected from the customer, the
processor will assemble the forwarding request and transmit it to the RMAS
for execution. Additionally should a technician terminal be connected to
the switching office destined for the CFV change, the RAFN must wait for
completion prior to execution of the change.
However, while this architecture is capable of effecting remote access to
Call Forwarding it presents a number of problems. The principal of these
problems is delay. After the user dials into the computer it requires an
excessive time to activate the feature because commands generated by the
computer must be queued with all of the other memory administration work
activity, not necessarily destined for the CFV subscriber's office,
generated by technician terminals connected to the RMAS.
Another obstacle to implementation of RACF service is the presence and
current use of multiple types of switches in most existing telephone
networks. One example of a switch by switch approach to this problem is
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,199 to Boatwright et al, issued Nov. 4,
1980. This patent describes a special service add-on for a central office
which uses a dial pulse activated switch. The main thrust of the patent is
the development of a central office add-on device which will permit
special services to be offered from offices using step-by-step switching.
The add-on unit which is specifically described includes Call Forwarding
as well as a number of other special or enhanced services. The Call
Forwarding service may be controlled by the subscriber from his own
subscriber telephone or any other telephone equipped with DTMF dialing.
Such remote programming is performed by dialing a directory number
assigned to a remote programming port in the add-on unit to enable the
subscriber to access the add-on in a remote programming mode.
Another approach to providing Remote Access to Call Forwarding which has
been deployed in the U.K. is to place a Modular Services Node (MSN)
between the customer's loop and the CO switch. The MSN consists of a
digital switch, a voice announcement system and a controlling processor.
It can service several hundred subscriber loops. With this arrangement the
answering service interface of the MSN can handle the remote call from the
customer with voice guidance. It can prompt the caller for his primary
destination DN, his PIN, his desire to activate or de-activate and his
forwarded destination DN. It would then program the CO switch by emulating
his primary station. The principal weakness of this design is that
hardware is dedicated to each customer loop requiring extremely large
amounts of hardware to service a significant number of subscribers, which
imposes a high cost. A second weakness is the need to hard wire customers
desiring the change capability, thereby making the offering more labor
intensive.
Yet another approach to handling varying types of switches is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,240 to Lin et al, issued Oct. 31, 1989. The Lin et al
patent discloses an arrangement which provides an adjunct switch unit for
each involved central office switch. The Lin et al arrangement provides
each subscriber with two telephone numbers. One number is the published
number which is known to the central office switch and is the number that
the public would dial to reach the subscriber. The other number is known
only to an adjunct which is provided for the switch. Incoming calls to the
subscriber's published number are routed by the central office switch (as
through a call forwarding feature) to the adjunct where it is then routed
through an additional programmable switch for the duration of the call.
Based upon the services subscribed to by the called party and based upon
the condition of his telephone line (i.e., answered, busy or not
answered), the call is routed to the other adjunct known number of the
called party. The adjunct then causes the ringing of the subscriber's
telephone, or if call forwarding is activated, to ring the published
number of the forwarding party in order to ring the telephone there. This
arrangement involves a significant investment in sophisticated adjunct
equipment and a basic change in the way switching is handled in a central
office switching system.
Still another approach to RACF is the use of customer premise equipment
(CPE). However, a CPE version requires multiple calls by the user. The
first call initiates a timing sequence in the CPE which enables a
follow-up call, if made within the prespecified timing sequence, to
deactivate the present forwarding condition. A subsequent call will allow
for remote activation of the CFV feature. An apparatus for effecting CPE
type control is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,009 to Rais, issued
Oct. 2, 1984. As with all CPE equipment the apparatus described in the
Rais patent is effective for remotely controlling Call Forwarding for the
particular line to which it is connected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a new type
of network adjunct node arranged to provide an apparatus and method for
remote access to special services or features of a telephone network on a
high speed basis.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and system
for providing remote access to control of call forwarding utilizing
existing local telephone network equipment and procedures in conjunction
with a new adjunct node interacting with the preexisting equipment and
procedures.
It is another object of the invention to provide effective remote access to
Call Forwarding service using equipment that is shared by a large universe
of subscribers and hence is low in cost and easily implemented.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved Remote Access
to Call Forwarding service in a multiple switch telephone network having
an RMAS/MIZAR which may be implemented by adjunct equipment associated
with the RMAS/MIZAR.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved Remote Access
Call Forwarding service which may be implemented from centralized nodes
assuring that human interface to the service is uniform across multiple
types of switching systems.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a platform for
implementing Remote Access to Call Forwarding which may also provide
additional special services.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved Remote
Access to Call Forwarding service and apparatus which provides improved
security.
The above and other objects of the invention are satisfied, at least in
part, by providing, at a central office serving subscriber lines an
adjunct computer system inserted between the RMAS/MIZAR and the input
channel to the switching system, rather than having the computer system
emulate the terminal behind the RMAS/MIZAR system. When reference is made
hereinafter to a RMAS system it is to be understood that the RMAS and
MIZAR systems are functional equivalents and that reference to one
includes reference to the other and/or functional equivalents thereof. The
adjunct computer is programmed to intercept and buffer messages from the
RMAS system to the switch. This provides the ability to insert high
priority messages into the normal traffic stream. Thus the short message
resulting from a subscriber request to activate or deactivate Call
Forwarding may be inserted into the Recent Change Channel traffic stream
almost immediately, rather than waiting in queue in the RMAS system itself
along with the other technician RCMAC terminal traffic. The brevity and
relative infrequency of these subscriber messages allows them to be
inserted into the traffic stream with virtually no discernible impact on
the response time as perceived by the technicians attached to the RMAS
system.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide in a telecommunications
system having a plurality of switching means interconnected by trunks, a
plurality of subscriber stations arranged in groups with each group being
served by one of the switching means, a plurality of subscriber lines
connecting each switching means with the group of subscriber stations
served thereby, a switching network in each switching means for
establishing communication paths between calling subscriber stations and
called subscriber stations addressed by the calling stations, with at
least one of the switching means including means for providing special
services to subscriber stations which it serves, a Remote Memory
Administration System (RMAS) associated with the switching means for
programming switch translation variables, and technician terminals
connected to the RMAS for entering programming orders, the improvement
comprising adjunct means associated with the RMAS and connected to at
least one of the switching means which is adapted to provide special
services to subscriber stations which it serves, a multiline hunt group
associated with a Remote Access Directory Number (RADN), where the adjunct
means includes voice response means connected to the multiline hunt group,
and processor means which is responsive to subscriber identification and
stored class of service information for recognizing that a special service
is to be provided to a subscriber station connected to one of the switch
means, and which processor is capable of generating a signal for
programming the switch means so as to effect the modification necessary to
provide the special service to that subscriber station, and wherein the
processor means is connected between the RMAS and at least one of the
switch means for transmitting to the switch means signals from the RMAS
for programming switch translation variables originated by the technician
terminals connected to the RMAS.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for remotely
programming switch means in a telecommunications system having a Remote
Memory Administration System (RMAS) for programming switch translation
variables comprising the steps of detecting at a node between the switch
means and RMAS the receipt of a remotely transmitted signal requesting
special service programming of the switch, storing at least a portion of
the request signal at the node, detecting at the node the receipt of
recent change programming signals from the RMAS, storing at least a
portion of the recent change programming signals at the node, and
transmitting from the node to the switch means multiplexed programming
signals for effecting recent change programming and special service
programming of the switch means.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, wherein only the preferred embodiment of the invention is
shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode
contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several
details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are
to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional local telephone network with a
Remote Memory Administration System (RMAS) connected to technician or
RCMAC terminals and various switches which it controls;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a prior art proposal for providing remote
access to control of call forwarding; and
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a Remote Access to Call Forwarding system
constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention
wherein remote access is utilized to accomplish call forwarding. In FIG. 3
the lAESS switch bears the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 and
is similarly disposed with respect to the subscriber stations connected
thereto, such as stations 34 and 36. It will be understood that while only
switch 14 is illustrated as connected to subscriber stations the other
switches 12, 16 and 18 may be similarly connected and portrayed.
RCMAC clerks or technicians input recent change or service orders into the
RMAS computer 10 via RCMAC terminals 20, 22 and 24. As will be understood,
this computer may provide multiple terminal access to 5ESS and DMS
switches, single terminal access to multiple switches in multiple offices,
storage of orders for timed relief to the central office on the date due,
formatted entry of orders and tracking of order completion. Most service
orders are released to the central offices between midnight and 8 a.m.
according to a schedule maintained by the system administrator.
The RMAS computer 10 has an asynchronous data line to each central office
to which it provides access. These are shown as the lines 50, 52, 58 and
60. However, while RMAS uses asynchronous links the system of the
invention is equally applicable to synchronous and other types of links.
The computer reformats the service order entries from the technicians into
the recent change format appropriate to the central office type being
accessed (1ESS, 1AESS, 5ESS, etc.). The computer then releases the recent
change to the office and monitors the channel for the appropriate
responses (order accepted, retry later, order rejected, etc.). The
computer also runs a timer on the central office responses. If a response
takes too long the computer will send the same recent change message again
up to a predetermined number of times. While FIG. 3 illustrates four
different switches representing four central offices it will be understood
that an RMAS system and the associated Recent Change Memory Administration
center may typically handle approximately 80 central offices dependent on
computer size and transaction processing capability.
According to the invention the system is provided with a call forwarding
adjunct 44 which is connected to the RMAS 10 and the switches 12, 14, 16
and 18. The adjunct 44 includes a fault tolerant computer processor 46 and
a Voice Response Unit (VRU) 48. By way of example the fault tolerant
computer may be a Sequoia Model 200, a 68020 based computer, and the VRU
may be a Periphonics Voice Response Unit. This unit provides digitized
recorded voice. A voice synthesizer may alternately be used but with some
loss of quality and hence acceptance by the customer. The VRU is connected
to a multiline hunt group 64 associated with a Remote Access Directory
Number (RADN). The RADN may constitute a 7 digit number but preferably is
a free call (800) number. This will allow customers to dial a toll free
number when they are outside their local area. Also, since 800 service is
provided by the Intelligent Network it is possible to change the location
of the RACF platform nodes or add additional nodes without having to
change the access number that the customer dials. An 800 number also
provides the capability to offer a single number to access the service
nationwide.
The 5ESS and DMS100 switches 16 and 18 retain their private data links 50
and 52 to the RMAS. However they are also connected by separate links 54
and 56 to the processor 46. The 1ESS and 1AESS switches 12 and 14 each
have only one available recent change link 58 and 60 and the processor 46
must share access to that link. The links 58 and 60 are thus shown as
symbolically proceeding through the processor. The RACF adjunct 44 is
inserted between the RMAS 10 and the input channel to those switching
systems served by the RMAS which have only one available recent change
link, such as 1ESS and 1AESS offices. Those offices which possess more
than one available recent change link, such as 5ESS and DMS100 offices,
retain a private data link to the RMAS and are also provided with a
separate link to the processor 46. This permits the RACF service to be
implemented in all Stored Program Control switches with only one set of
printed instructions for using the service.
The connection of the 1ESS and 1AESS switches to the RMAS through the
processor creates a contention situation which is handled by buffer memory
and software in the processor. Thus when no requests are pending in the
adjunct 44 for a particular central office or switch, the processor 46
acts as a "dumb pipe". That is, the RMAS and central office messages flow
through the processor 46 without modification and minimal delay. However,
if a call forwarding recent change message is formatted and ready for
release to the central office or switch, the following occurs: If a RMAS
message is in progress (moving through the adjunct) it is allowed to
continue and the response from the central office is allowed to pass also.
However, the next message from the RMAS is buffered (stored) in the
processor. The call forwarding message is then released to the central
office or switch and the central office response is collected. Then the
buffered RMAS message is released to the central office or switch and the
response returned. The call forwarding messages are completed and the RMAS
obtains its response from the central office or switch before it times
out. As a result the adjunct appears to be transparent to the RMAS system
even though there may actually be a delay of multiple seconds. In effect
there is a multiplexing action of the call forwarding recent change
formatted messages or signals and the RMAS recent change messages or
signals.
The Voice Response Unit (VRU) 48 performs the following:
Detects and answers incoming calls to the Remote Access Directory Number
(RADN).
Plays voice prompts to the caller--for home/office DN, PIN, feature code,
etc.
Collects DTMF digit or voice responses from the caller.
Communicates with the processor 46 over the host links 62.
Communicates with the multiline hunt group 64.
The system operates as follows: The RACF processor 46 receives the call
forwarding request and associated information from the hunt group 64 via
the Voice Response Unit 48. It verifies the validity of the request and
the PIN and instructs the VRU to play any necessary prompts or error
messages. If the request is valid the processor formats a recent change
message appropriate to the type of request and type of switch (determined
by the customer's telephone number and adjunct data base). It then sends
this message to the central office or switch and instructs the VRU to
inform the customer of the success or failure of the request.
It will be understood that the processor may be provided with the usual
support system interfaces to work with the existing operational support
systems used to maintain central office switching equipment. These may
comprise asynchronous or synchronous data access lines into the processor
for maintenance, statistics, trouble location and provisioning.
The procedure for using RACF begins when the user dials a Remote Access
Directory Number (RADN) which is assigned to and terminates at the RACF
adjunct 44 at the multiline hunt group 64. The user is thus connected to
the adjunct through the RADN line. While the user will normally dial the
RADN from a remote station there are no restrictions to prevent the user
from dialing the RADN from the target DN. The RADN line is connected to
the Voice Response Unit 48 which provides a prompt such as: "This is your
Remote Access service. You may now dial your home or office telephone
number that has Remote Access service. Please dial now."
The user then dials his/her 7-10 digit home/office number. The dialed
digits are collected at the processor 46 until 7-10 are received. A prompt
of the following type is next played: "The number you have dialed is
xxx-xxxx. If this is correct dial your Personal Identification Number."
The user dials a multiple digit PIN number. After these digits are
collected and stored a data base search is performed in the adjunct for
the combined DN and PIN for validation purposes.
Assuming a valid number has been received a prompt of the following type is
played: "To activate Call Forwarding dial 72#. To de-activate Call
Forwarding dial 73#. Please dial now." It will be understood that other
codes and prompts could of course be used.
Assuming the dialer dials 72# to attempt to activate Call Forwarding, and
also assuming that Call Forwarding has not previously been activated, a
prompt of the following type is played: "You have accessed the Call
Forward activation feature. To confirm this feature dial (1). To try a
different feature dial (0) and another code. Please dial now." Assuming
the user dialed (1) to confirm, the activation sequence is started and a
prompt of the following type is played: "This is your Call Forwarding
service. Please dial the number to which you want your calls forwarded."
The user dials the Forward To Number (FTN). The adjunct stores and replays
the dialed digits and requests the user to dial "1" if the number is
correct or "0" followed by a new number. If the user confirms the FTN a
prompt of the following type is played: "Your request is being processed.
Please hold." The adjunct processor 46 now formats and initiates an
appropriate message to the affected switch which will thereafter attempt
to forward calls made to the specified DN. Assuming that prior activation
did not exist and that activation was successful, a prompt of the
following type will be played: "Your calls will now be forwarded. You may
hang up or dial another feature code now." It will be understood that two
types of user prompts are provided by the system: interruptible and
non-interruptible. Interruptible prompts are normal user prompts
requesting information to complete normal service changes.
Non-interruptible prompts are provided upon user input errors to force
listening to error prompts.
All communication to and from the user in the foregoing steps has been
through the RADN line.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides an
improved system and method for remote access to control of special
services on a high speed basis. The system and method is implemented from
a centralized node or nodes assuring that human interface to the service
is uniform across all types of switching systems. Such uniformity is
important in a mass market service of the telephone type where
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