 |
Claims  |
|
|
We claim:
1. A telecommunications network formed from a plurality of switches
interconnected to one another for forwarding incoming calls to respective
destinations, said incoming calls being associated with respective calling
services provided by said network, said network comprising
means for interfacing an associated one of said switches with a data
network, said switches using said data network to exchange messages with
one another to forward said incoming calls to their respective
destinations, said means for interfacing including
means for intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said
data network and containing information associated with an incoming call
forwarded to said one of said switches, and further including
means for identifying a service associated with said incoming call as a
function of said intercepted information, for appending to said
intercepted message an identifier identifying a service logic that is to
process said call and for then passing said message to said associated
switch so that said call may be processed in accord with the identified
service logic.
2. The network set forth in claim 1 wherein said intercepted message is an
initial address message.
3. A telecommunications network formed from a plurality of switches
interconnected to one another for forwarding incoming calls to respective
destinations, said incoming calls being associated with respective calling
services provided by said network, said network comprising
means for interfacing an associated one of said switches with a data
network, said switches using said data network to exchange messages with
one another to forward said incoming calls to their respective
destinations, said means for interfacing including
means for intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said
data network and containing information associated with an incoming call
forwarded to said one of said switches, and further including
means for identifying a service associated with said incoming call as a
function of said intercepted information, for appending to said
intercepted message an identifier identifying a service logic that is to
process said call and for then passing said message to said associated
switch so that said call may be processed in accord with the identified
service logic, wherein said calling information is a telephone number
associated with an originator of said incoming call, and wherein said
means for identifying includes means for translating said telephone number
into a memory location having stored therein a record identifying said
service logic.
4. The network set forth in claim 3 wherein said one associated switch
supplies said message to an associated adjunct processor so that said
incoming call may be processed in accord with said identified service
logic, said adjunct processor including voice interactive means for
transmitting to the originator of said incoming call a verbal message
requesting entry of an authorization code, for receiving an entered code
and for allowing said incoming call to be completed if the entered code
compares with a code contained in said record.
5. A telecommunications network formed from a plurality of switches
interconnected to one another for forwarding incoming calls to respective
destinations, said incoming calls being associated with respective calling
services provided by said network, said network comprising
means for interfacing an associated one of said switches with a data
network, said switches using said data network to exchange messages with
one another to forward said incoming calls to their respective
destinations, said means for interfacing including
means for intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said
data network and containing information associated with an incoming call
forwarded to said one of said switches, and further including
means for identifying a service associated with said incoming call as a
function of said intercepted information, for appending to said
intercepted message an identifier identifying a service logic that is to
process said call and for then passing said message to said associated
switch so that said call may be processed in accord with the identified
service logic, wherein said calling information includes an automatic
identification code identifying the source of said incoming call, said
identification code including an area code, exchange code and a circuit
code, and wherein said means for identifying includes means for
translating said area, exchange and circuit codes into a memory location
having stored therein said identity of said service logic.
6. The network set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for identifying
includes means, operative in the event that said memory location does not
contain the identity of said service logic, for then supplying a null word
to said one of said switches as the identity of said service logic.
7. A network comprising a plurality of interconnected switches for
establishing connections between individual ones of said switches to
forward respective incoming calls to their intended destinations, said
switches exchanging messages with one another via a communications path in
order to establish said connections, said incoming calls being associated
with respective services, said network comprising
means for interfacing associated ones of said switches with said
communications path, and wherein said means for interfacing includes,
means for receiving messages via said communications path and then
supplying said messages to an associated one of said switches, and further
includes
means, operative whenever one of said received messages is associated with
an incoming call that is received at the associated one of said switches,
for identifying, as a function of calling information contained in said
message, a service logic that will be used to process said incoming call,
for appending the identity of said service logic to said one message and
supplying said one message to the associated on of said switches.
8. The network set forth in claim 7 wherein said one message is an initial
address message.
9. The network set forth in claim 7 wherein said calling information is a
telephone number, and wherein said means for identifying includes means
for translating said telephone number into a memory location at which is
stored a record identifying said service logic.
10. The network set forth in claim 9 wherein said associated one of said
switches supplies said message to an adjunct processor to process said
call in accord with said identified service logic, and wherein said
adjunct processor including voice interactive means for transmitting to an
originator of said incoming call a verbal message requesting entry of an
authorization code, for receiving the entered code and for allowing said
incoming call to be completed if the entered code compares with a code
contained in said record.
11. The network set forth in claim 7 wherein said communications path is
associated with common channel signaling.
12. The network set forth in claim 7 wherein said calling information is a
called telephone number.
13. A network comprising a plurality of interconnected switches for
establishing connections between individual ones of said switches to
forward respective incoming calls to their intended destinations, said
switches exchanging messages with one another via a communications path in
order to establish said connections, said incoming calls being associated
with respective services, said network comprising
means for interfacing associated ones of said switches with said
communications path, and wherein said means for interfacing includes,
means for receiving messages via said communications path and then
supplying said messages to an associated one of said switches, and further
includes
means, operative whenever one of said received messages is associated with
an incoming call that is received at the associated one of said switches,
for identifying, as a function of calling information contained in said
message, a service logic that will be used to process said incoming call,
for appending the identity of said service logic to said one message and
supplying said one message to the associated one of said switches, wherein
said calling information includes an automatic identification code
identifying the source of said incoming call, said identification code
including an area code, exchange code and a circuit code, and wherein said
means for identifying includes means for translating said area, exchange
and circuit codes into a memory location having stored therein said
identity of said service logic.
14. The network set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for identifying
includes means, operative in the event that said memory location does not
contain the identity of said service logic, for then supplying a null word
to said one switch as the identity of said service logic.
15. A method of processing an incoming call in a telecommunications system
formed from a plurality of switches interconnected to one another, said
incoming call being associated with a respective calling service provided
by said system, said method comprising the steps of
interfacing at least one of said switches with a data network such that
said one of said switches may communicate with other ones of said switches
to forward said incoming call to an intended destination,
intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said data
network, in which said message contains information relating to said
incoming call, and
identifying the service associated with said incoming call as a function of
said information, appending to said intercepted message an identifier
identifying a service logic that is to process said call and for then
passing said message to said one of said switches so that said one of said
switches my process said call in accord with the identified service logic.
16. The method set forth in claim 15 wherein said intercepted message is an
initial address message.
17. The network set forth in claim 15 wherein said data network is a data
network which uses common channel signaling.
18. A method of processing an incoming call in a telecommunications system
formed from a plurality of switches interconnected to one another, said
incoming call being associated with a respective calling service provided
by said system, said method comprising the steps of
interfacing an associated one of said switches with a data network such
that said one switch may communicate with other ones of said switches to
forward said incoming call to an intended destination,
intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said data
network, in which said message contains information relating to said
incoming call, and
identifying the service associated with said incoming call as a function of
said information, appending to said intercepted message an identifier
identifying a service logic that is to process said call and for then
passing said message to said one switch so that said call may be processed
in accord with the identified service logic, wherein said calling
information is a telephone number associated with the originator of said
call, and wherein said step of identifying includes the step of
translating said telephone number into a memory location at which is
stored a record identifying said service logic.
19. A method of processing an incoming call in a telecommunications system
formed from a plurality of switches interconnected to one another, said
incoming call being associated with a respective calling service provided
by said system, said method comprising the steps of
interfacing an associated one of said switches with a data network such
that said one switch may communicate with other ones of said switches to
forward said incoming call to an intended destination,
intercepting a message sent to said one of said switches via said data
network, in which said message contains information relating to said
incoming call, and
identifying the service associated with said incoming call as a function of
said information, appending to said intercepted message an identifier
identifying a service logic that is to process said call and for then
passing said message to said one switch so that said call may be processed
in accord with the identified service logic, wherein said calling
information includes an automatic identification code identifying the
source of said incoming call, said identification code including an area
code, exchange code and a circuit code, and wherein said step of
identifying includes the step of translating said area, exchange and
circuit codes into a memory location having stored therein said identity
of said service logic.
20. The network set forth in claim 19 wherein said step of identifying
includes the step of supplying a null word to said one switch as the
identity of said service logic when the contents of said memory location
does not identify said service logic. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to telephone networks, and more particularly relates
to identifying and executing call processing logic that is associated with
a particular service request.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, several approaches have been used in an interexchange
network to identify the service logic that needs to be executed to process
a particular service request. One prior approach connects telephone user
equipment subscribing to a particular service directly to a dedicated
interexchange trunk group so that the interexchange network can identify
the requested service and thus the service logic that needs to be executed
to process an associated service call. However, such an approach is not
economical, since most service subscribers do not provide a sufficient
level of traffic (or demand) to use optimally the capacity of a dedicated
trunk group.
Another prior approach attempts to optimize trunk usage by associating a
trunk group, and thus the service logic, with a combination (set) of
network services. Although such optimization is somewhat economical, it is
not flexible. That is, in order to obtain a desired service a telephone
user has to subscribe to a combination of such services, some of which the
telephone user might find to be undesirable.
As is well-known, a variety of signaling protocols are used to establish
connections between switching exchanges (i.e., local and toll offices).
One such protocol is the well-known Signaling System 7 (SS7). The SS7
protocol has been defined by Study Group XI - Specification of Signaling
System No. 7, International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee
(CCITT) Blue Book, Vol. 6 of Facile VI.9, Geneva, Switzerland, 1989. The
SS7 protocol provides, inter alia, a method by which a local exchange
office transmits a code known as Automatic Number Identification (ANI) to
a toll office, in which the ANI identifies the originator (i.e., line
circuit) of a call that the former office is forwarding to the latter
office. The ANI code, as well as the called telephone number, are
transmitted in a signaling message or packet commonly referred to as an
Initial Address Message (IAM), which contains other information necessary
for the toll switch to complete the call. Since an IAM contains ANI
information identifying the source of a telephone call, it appears that a
specific network service associated with a telephone call could be
identified at a toll switch by merely examining the ANI information
contained in the associated SS7 message.
However, such an approach is not always practical. The reason for this is
that a toll switch would have to check the ANI information accompanying
each incoming call to determine if the call is associated with a
particular service and/or feature. Since a toll switch processes a very
large number of incoming calls, the additional task of checking the ANI
information associated with each incoming call would increase the load on
the call processing resources of the toll switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An advancement in the art of call processing is achieved by providing in a
telecommunications network a facility which, in accord with the invention,
appends to an IAM message associated with an incoming call the identity of
the service logic that will process the call and then presents the revised
message to an associated toll switch. In particular, the inventive
facility operates to intercept such an IAM message before it is presented
to the associated toll switch. The facility then translates the ANI
information contained in the message into the identity of the service
logic that will process the call. The facility then appends the identity
to the message and passes the result to the associated toll switch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the Drawing:
FIG. 1 shows a broad block diagram of a telecommunications network in which
the principles of the invention may be practiced;
FIG. 2 is a broad block diagram of a CNI ring of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a broad block diagram of a direct link node of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates in flow chart form a program which implements the
invention in the direct link node of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5-7 are illustrative examples of various translation tables arranged
to translate ANI information accompanying an incoming call into a service
identity; and
FIG. 8 is an illustrative example of a service record that is contained in
the table of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, communications network 200
shown in FIG. 1 may be an interexchange network, such as, for example, the
well-known AT&T public switched network that provides a plurality of
services for its subscribers, such as the subscribers associated with
station sets 105-1 through 105-N and 125-1 through 125-P. More
specifically, Network 200 includes, inter alia, a plurality of
interconnected Toll Switches (TS), three of which are shown in the FIG.,
namely, TS 205, 210 and 215. Such toll switches (e.g., 205, 210 and 215)
may be any one of the well-known type of switching equipment, such as, for
example, the No. 4ESS (Electronic Switching System) that is available from
AT&T. In a typical case, a toll switch serves a number of local central
(switching) offices (CO), three of which are shown in the FIG., namely COs
105, 120 and 125. As is well-known, a CO, e.g., CO 105 or CO 125, is
arranged to connect a calling station (originator) that has dialed a
particular telephone number to an associated toll switch, e.g., TS 105. A
CO is also arranged to advance a telephone call received from an
associated toll switch to an intended telephone station set.
Network 200 also includes so-called Common Channel Signaling (CCS) links
302-1 through 302-3 which implement the aforementioned SS7 signaling
network (hereinafter CCS7 links). CCS7 links 302-1 through 302-3
respectively connect to toll switches 105, 110 and 120 via respective CNI
ring packet switches 300-1 through 300-3. In an implementation of the
invention, each of the CNI rings 300-1 through 300-3 may be of the type
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,659 issued Nov. 19, 1985 to M. L. Blood
et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,563 issued Jul. 28, 1987, to D. M. Rouse et
al, which are hereby incorporated by reference. A CNI ring is the means by
which a toll switch, e.g., TS 205, connects via respective ring nodes to a
network 200 Signal Transfer Points (STP), one of which is shown in the
FIG., namely STP 220. An STP, e.g., STP 220, may be, for example, the
model 2STP that is available from AT&T. As is well-known, an STP operates
to route messages between toll switches, between a toll switch and a CO,
and between a toll switch and a network 200 data base, such as Network
Control Point (NCP) 225.
It is seen from the FIG. that, in broad terms, a toll switch, e.g., TS 205,
comprises, inter alia, a central control processor 205-1 and a Time
Division Multiplexed (TDM) network 205-2. TDM network 205-2, operates
under the control of processor 205-1, and connects to a CO, e.g., CO 105,
via respective communications paths, e.g., path 106. TDM network 205-2 may
also connect to an associated adjunct 240 via communications path 241.
Adjunct 240, which may be, for example, the Conversant.RTM. (registered
trademark of AT&T) voice information system available from AT&T,
communicates with central control processor 205-1 via path 304, CNI ring
300-1 and path 301-1. In a conventional manner, adjunct 240 may also
communicate with other toll switches, e.g., TS 210 and TS 215, via path
304, CNI ring 300-1, CCS7 link 302-1 and STP 220 for the purpose of
completing a telephone call.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a broad block diagram of CNI ring
300 comprising so-called oppositely directed transmission paths 306
forming what is commonly referred to as a token ring. Token ring 306
operates under the control of a so-called executive node (not shown). CNI
ring 300 also comprises a plurality of CCS7 link nodes 307-1 through
307-N, D-channel node 308 and direct link node 309 interconnected to one
another via token ring 306. Nodes 307-1 through 307-N, in turn,
respectively connect to CCS7 links 302 thereby providing a multiple link
interface between CNI ring 300 and a particular network 200 STP, such as
STP 220. In this way, central control processor 205-1 (FIG. 1 ) may
exchange CCS7 messages, for example, an IAM message, with CO or other toll
switches via path 301-1, direct link node 309, token ring 306 and one of
the CCS7 links 302 forming multiple CCS7 link 302-1.
That is, processor 205-1 may send a CCS7 message to a particular STP, e.g.,
STP 220, for delivery to another network 200 toll switch or data base
(i.e., NCP 225) by supplying the message to direct link node 309 via path
301-1. Direct link node 309, in turn, transmits the message over the
up-stream leg of token ring 306 for delivery to a particular one of the
nodes 307-1 through 307-N which is identified in the message. The link
node, in turn, transmits the message over its respective one of the
multiple links 302 forming multiple CCS7 link 302-1. Similarly, a link
node, e.g., node 307-1, which receives a CCS7 message via its respective
CCS7 link 302 outputs the message to the down-stream leg of token ring 306
for transmission to direct link node 309. Direct link node 309, in turn,
removes the message from token ring 306 and supplies it to central control
processor 205-1 via communications path 301-1.
Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a broad block diagram of direct link
node 309. Node 309, which is of the type disclosed in the aforementioned
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752924, includes ring interface circuit 309-11 which
presents an interface to token ring 306, and host interface 309-13 which
presents an interface to an associated toll switch central processor,
e.g., processor 205-1, by way of a dual channel communications path 301.
Node 309 also includes memory 309-12, which is partitioned into, inter
alia, two I/O buffers 309-16 and 309-17. Memory, 309-12 is also
partitioned to provide, in accord with an aspect of the invention, ANI
Table 309-18, as will be discussed below. I/O buffers 309-16 and 309-17
operate as conventional First In, First Out (FIFO) memory arrangements.
The overall operation of node 309 is under the control of node processor
309-14.
In particular, upon receiving a CCS7 message via the up-stream leg of token
ting 306, ring interface 309-11 checks the message to determine if it
contains an identifier identifying its associated central control
processor, e.g., processor 205-1. If that is not the case, then interface
309-11 outputs the message to the succeeding up-stream leg of token ring
306. If that is case, then interface 309-11 stores the message in buffer
309-16. Node processor 309-14 periodically unloads a CCS7 message from
buffer 309-16, converts the format of the message to a format expected by
the associated central control processor and then stores the revised
message in buffer 309-17. Host interface 309-13 then unloads the message
from buffer 309-17 and supplies it to its associated host, e.g., central
control processor 205-1, via communications path 301. Similarly, host
interface 309-13 stores messages that it receives from its associated host
via path 301 in buffer 309-17. Node processor 309-14, in turn, unloads
those messages from buffer 309-17, reformats them to conform with the SS7
protocol and then stores them in buffer 309-16. Interface 309-11 then
unloads the latter messages, one at a time, and transmits them over the
down-stream leg of token 306 for delivery to one of the link nodes 307-1
through 307-N.
(It is noted that D-channel node 308 of FIG. 2 operates in a similar
manner. That is, node 308 is the means by which adjunct 240 (FIG. 1)
exchanges messages with its associated central control processor 205-1, in
which the messages are formatted in accord with the Q.931 protocol.
Accordingly, D-link node 309 is further arranged so that it converts a
Q.931 message that it receives via ring 306 into a format expected by
processor 205-1. Similarly, node 309 converts processor 205-1 messages
addressed to adjunct 240 into the Q.931 format before such messages are
outputted to ring 306 for delivery to node 308.)
More specifically, node 309 is arranged, in accord with an aspect of the
invention, to intercept each IAM message before it is delivered to the
associated central control processor and determine whether the call
identified by the intercepted message is associated with a particular
network 200 service or feature. If node 309 determines that is case, then
node 309 identifies, in accord with an aspect of the invention, the
associated service and/or feature module that will process the call and
appends that identity to the IAM message before it is delivered to the
associated central control processor, e.g., processor 205-1.
In particular, when the program controlling the operation of node processor
309-14 unloads a message from ring buffer 309-11 the program then enters
the program module shown in FIG. 4. Entry of the program at block 400
causes the program to proceed to block 401 where it determines whether or
not the unloaded CCS7 message is an IAM message. If the CCS7 message is
not an IAM message, then the program proceeds to block 405. Otherwise, the
program proceeds to block 402 where it determines if the IAM message
identifies an incoming call from an associated CO, e.g., CO 105 (FIG. 1).
If that is not the case, i.e., the call is from another network 200 toll
switch, then the program proceeds to block 405. Otherwise, the program
proceeds to block 403. At block 403, the program determines whether the
ANI (e.g., telephone number of calling telephone party or, in particular
instances, the dialed telephone number) specified in the IAM message is
contained in ANI table 309-18. If it is not, then the program concludes
that the call (i.e., calling party) is not associated with a particular
network 200 service or feature and proceeds to block 405. If the ANI
information is contained in table 309-18, then the program proceeds to
block 404 where it translates the ANI information into a service identity
code identifying the particular service and/or feature logic that will
process the call. The program then appends the identity code to the IAM
message and proceeds to block 405.
At block 405, the program revises the format of the CCS7 message so that
the message may be processed by the associated central control processor,
as mentioned above. The program then proceeds to block 406 where it stores
the reformatted message in host buffer 309-17 and then exits via block
407.
FIG. 5 through 7 illustrate the manner in which the program at blocks 403
and 404 determines if the ANI information is contained in ANI table
309-19. It also illustrates how such information may be translated into a
service identity code.
In particular, ANI table 309-18 (FIG. 3) is composed of a number of tables,
the first of which is indexed using the first three digits of the ANI
information contained in the IAM message that the program is processing.
As is well-known, ANI information may be, for example, what is commonly
referred to as long distance telephone number of the form NPA-NXX-XXXX.
NPA conforms with the North American dialing plan and comprises three
digits, for example, 201. NXX identifies a local exchange (e.g., CO 105)
and also comprise three digits, e.g., 555. XXXX identifies a line circuit
connected to a subscriber telephone line associated with the local
exchange and comprises four digits (e.g., 5432).
Block 403 of FIG. 4 first accesses table 500 comprising--illustratively a
thousand locations--using as an index the three digit NPA code contained
in the intercepted IAM message. If the accessed location contains a null
word (e.g., all zeroes), then the program proceeds to block 405. If, on
the other hand, the accessed location contains an address indicative of a
valid NPA that is served by the associated toll switch, then the program
proceeds to block 404, as mentioned above. Block 404 then proceeds to
access one of the tables of FIG. 6. It is noted that, in a typical case,
the majority of entries in table 500 would be null words, since a toll
switch serves a relatively few NPAs.
For example, assume that the instant ANI is 201-555-5432, in which NPA 201
is served by the associated toll switch, e.g., TS 205 (FIG. 1). Block 403
then accesses table 500 using 201 as an index, meaning that the program
unloads the contents of location 201 of table 500. If that location
contains a null word, then, as mentioned, the program proceeds to block
405. However, assume that location 201 contains an address, which points
the program to one of the tables of FIG. 6, namely table 201 associated
with area code (NPA) 201. Each of the tables of FIG. 6 comprises a number
of locations e.g., 1000 locations, in which the address of each such
location is associated with a respective local exchange number (NXX) that
is served by the associated toll switch. As such, the number of valid
entries (entries which do not contain a null word) in each of the tables
of FIG. 6 is commensurate with the number of local exchanges that are
served by the associated toll switch for that NPA.
Continuing, at this point, the program accesses table 201 using as an index
the NXX (i.e., 555) contained in the ANI of the intercepted IAM message.
It is seen from FIG. 6, that location 555 of table 601 contains an address
of a next table, i.e., table 601-555, rather than a null word. In an
illustrative embodiment of the invention, an address contained in one of
the tables of FIG. 6, e.g., table 201, in turn, "points" to one of a
number of subscriber tables. FIG. 7 illustrates one such table, whose
address is stored in location 555 of table 201. Each such subscriber table
comprises a number of locations, e.g., 10,000 locations, each of which is
associated with a particular subscriber served by the associated toll
switch. If the particular subscriber has subscribed to one or more
services and/or features provided by network 200 (FIG. 1), then an
associated location in one of the subscriber tables identifies that
subscription.
In particular, having identified the appropriate subscriber table, e.g.,
table 701 (also identified as table 201-555), the program then accesses
that table. In doing so, the program uses as an index the last four digits
forming the ANI information (value) contained in the intercepted IAM
message. As mentioned above, those four digits are assumed to be 5432. It
is seen from the FIG. that location 5432 of table 701 contains a service
identity (I.D. in the FIG.) record that is associated with the ANI value
contained in the intercepted IAM message. In accord with an aspect of the
invention, a service identity record identifies the toll switch logic
module that will process the associated call. Accordingly, the program
unloads a copy of the service identity record from location 5432 and
appends it to the IAM message. The program then proceeds to block 405.
In accord with a another aspect of the invention, a service identity record
may contain a value identifying what is commonly referred to as "plain old
telephone service".
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative example of a service identity record 801 that
is stored in an associated subscriber table, such as table 701. It is seen
from the FIG. that subscriber record 801 comprises a number of fields,
including a service field 801 identifying the associated subscriber's
subscription of a network 200 service and/or feature, if any. As such,
field 801 identifies the service module that needs to be invoked to
process telephone calls originated by the associated subscriber. Field 802
contains associated data that is used to implement the service. For
example, such data may identify a particular service adjunct, e.g.,
adjunct 240, as will be explained below.
With the foregoing in mind we now discuss a number of illustrative examples
showing how the inventive feature intercepts an IAM message, and then
identifies the service logic module that will be invoked to process the
associated incoming call.
More specifically and referring to FIGS. 1-3, assume that a user associated
with station 105-1 desires to place a telephone call and that the user has
subscribed to a particular network 200 service and/or feature. To place
such a call, the user signals CO 105 by first placing station 105-1 in a
so-called off-hook state. The user (subscriber) then dials via the
associated station keypad the telephone number identifying a particular
called station, e.g., station 125-1. CO 105 in response thereto collects
the dialed digits in the order that that they are received. Upon receipt
of the last of the dialed digits, CO 105 analyzes the digits in
conjunction with conventional translation tables stored in its internal
memory to determine if the call is to be routed via TS 205 of network 200.
To route the call to TS 205, CO 105 seizes an available trunk of
communications path 106 connecting to TS 205. CO 105 then establishes an
internal connection between an input port of the seized trunk and the
communications path extending to station 105-1. CO 105 then forms an IAM
message containing, inter alia, (a) the dialed digits, (b) the telephone
number assigned to station 105 (i.e., ANI), (c) an origination code
identifying CO 105, (d) a destination code identifying TS 205, and (e)
identity of the seized trunk. CO 105 then sends the IAM message to TS 205
via CCS7 link 107 and associated STP 115. STP 115, in response to receipt
of the message and based on the destination code contained therein,
forwards the IAM message to STP 220 via CCS7 link 116.
For a similar reason, STP 220 forwards the message to TS 205 via CCS7 link
302-1. One of the link nodes 307-1 through 307-N accepts and then outputs
the IAM message to the up-stream leg of token ring 306 for delivery to
direct link node 309. Ring interface 309-11, in the manner discussed
above, accepts and stores the received IAM message in buffer 309-16.
Thereafter, node processor 309-14 removes the message from buffer 309-16
and then invokes the program of FIG. 4. As a result of processing the IAM
message, the program appends to the message the contents of the associated
subscriber record identifying the TS 205 service (program) module that
Will process the call. The program then stores the revised IAM message in
buffer 309-17 for delivery to central control processor 205-1 via host
interface 309-13 5 and path 301-1.
Processor 205-1 responsive to receipt of the IAM message removes the
appended subscriber record and invokes the service module identified
therein. Assume, that the identified service is a service which queries
the calling subscriber for entry of an authorization code, and then
compares the entered code with a code contained in the data field of the
associated subscriber record. If the comparison is found to be true, then
the service module directs the associated toll switch to complete the call
to the called station. If the comparison is not true, then the service
module directs the switch (TS 205) to terminate the call. In an
illustrative embodiment of the invention, such a service module resides in
one or more of a number of adjuncts identified in the data field of the
associated subscriber record, for example, adjunct 240.
Accordingly, TS 205 reformats a copy of the IAM message into the Q.931
message format and supplies the result to adjunct 240 via ring 300-i. In
addition, TS 205 establishes a connection between the incoming call and
adjunct 240 via associated TDM network 205-2 and path 241. Adjunct 240
responsive to receipt of the message, transmits a recorded announcement
over path 241 for delivery to station set 105-1. The recorded announcement
requests that the subscriber enter via the station keypad a predetermined
authorization code originally specified by the subscriber. Adjunct 240, in
turn, collects the digits forming the code as they are entered by the
station set 105 subscriber (or caller). Upon receipt of the last of such
digits, adjunct 240 compares the string of digits entered by the
subscriber with the code contained in the data field of associated
subscriber record. As mentioned above, if adjunct 240 finds that the
string compares with the authorization code, then adjunct 240 transmits a
request to complete the call to central control processor 205-1 via CNI
ring 300-1. Otherwise, the request directs processor 205-1 to terminate
the call. Processor 205-1, in turn and in a conventional manner, either
completes or terminates the call based on the contents of the adjunct 240
request.
As another example, network 200 provides a service commonly referred to as
a Software Defined Network (SDN). SDN allows a multilocation subscriber to
configure a private network within network 200. Such a network is
typically identified by a so-called private network identifier and each
location thereof is identified by an associated private network telephone
number as well as a conventional public telephone number. A private
network number usually comprises seven digits. A call from one location of
a private network is processed by translating the private network
identifier and called private network number into its associated public
telephone number. Such translation is usually done by one of the network
200 NCPs, e.g., NCP 225. The call is then routed base | | |
