CA2118352C - A signaling system for broadband communications networks - Google Patents
A signaling system for broadband communications networks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2118352C CA2118352C CA002118352A CA2118352A CA2118352C CA 2118352 C CA2118352 C CA 2118352C CA 002118352 A CA002118352 A CA 002118352A CA 2118352 A CA2118352 A CA 2118352A CA 2118352 C CA2118352 C CA 2118352C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signaling
- provider
- subscriber
- node
- network
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
- H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
- H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
- H04Q11/0478—Provisions for broadband connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
- H04Q3/0029—Provisions for intelligent networking
- H04Q3/0045—Provisions for intelligent networking involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5625—Operations, administration and maintenance [OAM]
- H04L2012/5626—Network management, e.g. Intelligent nets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5629—Admission control
- H04L2012/563—Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13149—Change of provider, e.g. network or service
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13375—Electronic mail
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13533—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2213/00—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems
- H04Q2213/13547—Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S379/00—Telephonic communications
- Y10S379/908—Multimedia
Abstract
A network architecture is designed to allow a communications service subscriber to select a signaling provider independently of a) the transport carriers which control the local loops for particular communications services, and b) the providers of those services. Upon the establishment of a signaling connection from a subscriber's terminal device to the signaling provider's network, the latter requests those services from the service providers selected by the subscriber for delivery over the local loops of the transport providers.
Description
~1~.~3~2 A SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR
BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
Technical Field This invention relates to communication systems.
Background of the Invention For most communications services, prior art communications network architecture limits a subscriber's ability to freely select services and/or service providers. For example, most subscribers are constrained to receive their local communications services exclusively from the carrier e.g., a local phone company, or a cable television operator, serving the geographical area where those subscribers live. Thus, those subscribers are limited to the services provided by their serving local carriers) singly or in agreement with other carriers. For some other communications services, such as long distance or cellular communications services, subscribers typically have more freedom in the selection of service providers.
However, the inflexibility of today's communications network architecture prevents subscribers from freely mixing and matching features from different carriers for a particular service. Thus, a problem of the prior art is a rigid communications architecture which does not allow subscribers to select feature and/or services from compering carriers on a call-by-call basis or on a subscription basis.
Another problem of the prior art is the inability of end-users who have access/egress facilities to multiple competing carriers to specify a particular carrier from which they want to receive incoming communications services.
Summary of the Invention We have realized that the root causes of the aforementioned prior art problems can be traced back to the logical dependency of end-user signaling systems on end-user switching points. Specifically, the end-user switching points originate, process and terminate signaling messages for end-user devices. Because of that dependency, the end points for user signaling are switching systems that are generally managed and owned by a single communications carrier, such as a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), a cellular communications provider or a cable television operator. Thus, the communication carrier that controls the local loop associated with the terminal device of a subscriber also controls the nature and type of signaling messages for all communications services received and requested by that subscriber over that loop. Hence, the subscriber is at the mercy of the loop-controlling communications carrier (transport provider) for the type of communications services and features available to that subscriber.
The present invention is directed to a communications network architecture in which, a subscriber is allowed to select a signaling provider independently of a) the transport carriers which control the local loops for particular communications services, and b) the providers of those services. In accordance with the principles of the invention, bidirectional signaling messages associated with communications services requested by, or destined for a subscriber's terminal device are sent unprocessed to a signaling provider selected by the subscriber. The signaling provider then requests those services from the service providers selected by the subscriber.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a user establishes a signaling connection to a node of a signaling provider of his or her choice via a transport provider network. The signaling provider node processes call setup signaling messages to determine the type of connections and services desired by the user. The signaling provider node then retrieves a profile associated with the terminal device or user-identification information contained in a signaling message.
The profile identifies through a table lookup operation, the particular features and service providers selected by the user. Service providers are selected by a user either on a subscription basis or on a call-by-call basis. In the latter case, service provider identification information needs to be included in the call setup signaling message.
Once the appropriate service providers have been identified, the signaling provider node initiates and transmits service request signals to each of the signaling nodes of those service providers networks to set up the appropriate connections for the user's call. If the services requested by the user are limited to information retrieval, the retrieved information is then delivered to the user by the service provider over the facilities of the access transport provider that is determined from the aforementioned table lookup operation.
If interactive conversational services are requested by the subscriber, the signaling provider of the subscriber communicates with the signaling provider of each called party to determine the selected transport provider for incoming communications services for each called party who has access/egress facilities to more than one transport provider. Once the egress transport provider is identified for each called party, the subscriber's signaling provider establishes the appropriate connections) between the subscriber and each called party over the local loop (and other loops, if needed) of the transport provider of each called party.
-2a-In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a broadband communications network comprising: at least one signaling node of a signaling network for receiving signaling messages from a subscriber's device, said signaling network operating under the control of a signaling provider pre-selected by the subscriber; at least one service node for providing at least one communications service to the subscriber's device upon request from the at least one signaling node, said at least one service node operating under the control of a service provider selected by the subscriber; and a transport system of a first transport provider for delivering said signaling messages from the subscriber's device to the at least one signaling node, and a transport network of a second transport provider for delivering the at least one communications service from the at least one service node to the subscriber's device, said transport system and said transport network being logically independent of the signaling network of the signaling provider.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided in a broadband communication network, a method of completing a call initiated by a caller, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a signaling connection from an end-user device being used by the caller to a node of a particular signaling provider's network preselected by the caller, the connection being established via a node of a transport provider's network which a) operates logically independently of said signaling provider's network, and b) communicates unaltered said caller's signaling messages to the node of the signaling provider's network; processing said signaling messages in said signaling provider's node by determining from the signaling messages and pre-stored data a) at least one feature requested by the caller for said call, b) an associated provider of said feature, and c) a transport facility over which communications signals for said call and said feature are to be routed for said caller; and completing the call using said transport facility.
~11~3~~
BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
Technical Field This invention relates to communication systems.
Background of the Invention For most communications services, prior art communications network architecture limits a subscriber's ability to freely select services and/or service providers. For example, most subscribers are constrained to receive their local communications services exclusively from the carrier e.g., a local phone company, or a cable television operator, serving the geographical area where those subscribers live. Thus, those subscribers are limited to the services provided by their serving local carriers) singly or in agreement with other carriers. For some other communications services, such as long distance or cellular communications services, subscribers typically have more freedom in the selection of service providers.
However, the inflexibility of today's communications network architecture prevents subscribers from freely mixing and matching features from different carriers for a particular service. Thus, a problem of the prior art is a rigid communications architecture which does not allow subscribers to select feature and/or services from compering carriers on a call-by-call basis or on a subscription basis.
Another problem of the prior art is the inability of end-users who have access/egress facilities to multiple competing carriers to specify a particular carrier from which they want to receive incoming communications services.
Summary of the Invention We have realized that the root causes of the aforementioned prior art problems can be traced back to the logical dependency of end-user signaling systems on end-user switching points. Specifically, the end-user switching points originate, process and terminate signaling messages for end-user devices. Because of that dependency, the end points for user signaling are switching systems that are generally managed and owned by a single communications carrier, such as a Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), a cellular communications provider or a cable television operator. Thus, the communication carrier that controls the local loop associated with the terminal device of a subscriber also controls the nature and type of signaling messages for all communications services received and requested by that subscriber over that loop. Hence, the subscriber is at the mercy of the loop-controlling communications carrier (transport provider) for the type of communications services and features available to that subscriber.
The present invention is directed to a communications network architecture in which, a subscriber is allowed to select a signaling provider independently of a) the transport carriers which control the local loops for particular communications services, and b) the providers of those services. In accordance with the principles of the invention, bidirectional signaling messages associated with communications services requested by, or destined for a subscriber's terminal device are sent unprocessed to a signaling provider selected by the subscriber. The signaling provider then requests those services from the service providers selected by the subscriber.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a user establishes a signaling connection to a node of a signaling provider of his or her choice via a transport provider network. The signaling provider node processes call setup signaling messages to determine the type of connections and services desired by the user. The signaling provider node then retrieves a profile associated with the terminal device or user-identification information contained in a signaling message.
The profile identifies through a table lookup operation, the particular features and service providers selected by the user. Service providers are selected by a user either on a subscription basis or on a call-by-call basis. In the latter case, service provider identification information needs to be included in the call setup signaling message.
Once the appropriate service providers have been identified, the signaling provider node initiates and transmits service request signals to each of the signaling nodes of those service providers networks to set up the appropriate connections for the user's call. If the services requested by the user are limited to information retrieval, the retrieved information is then delivered to the user by the service provider over the facilities of the access transport provider that is determined from the aforementioned table lookup operation.
If interactive conversational services are requested by the subscriber, the signaling provider of the subscriber communicates with the signaling provider of each called party to determine the selected transport provider for incoming communications services for each called party who has access/egress facilities to more than one transport provider. Once the egress transport provider is identified for each called party, the subscriber's signaling provider establishes the appropriate connections) between the subscriber and each called party over the local loop (and other loops, if needed) of the transport provider of each called party.
-2a-In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a broadband communications network comprising: at least one signaling node of a signaling network for receiving signaling messages from a subscriber's device, said signaling network operating under the control of a signaling provider pre-selected by the subscriber; at least one service node for providing at least one communications service to the subscriber's device upon request from the at least one signaling node, said at least one service node operating under the control of a service provider selected by the subscriber; and a transport system of a first transport provider for delivering said signaling messages from the subscriber's device to the at least one signaling node, and a transport network of a second transport provider for delivering the at least one communications service from the at least one service node to the subscriber's device, said transport system and said transport network being logically independent of the signaling network of the signaling provider.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided in a broadband communication network, a method of completing a call initiated by a caller, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a signaling connection from an end-user device being used by the caller to a node of a particular signaling provider's network preselected by the caller, the connection being established via a node of a transport provider's network which a) operates logically independently of said signaling provider's network, and b) communicates unaltered said caller's signaling messages to the node of the signaling provider's network; processing said signaling messages in said signaling provider's node by determining from the signaling messages and pre-stored data a) at least one feature requested by the caller for said call, b) an associated provider of said feature, and c) a transport facility over which communications signals for said call and said feature are to be routed for said caller; and completing the call using said transport facility.
~11~3~~
Brief Description of the Drawing FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a narrowband communications system embodying the principles of the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a broadband communications system arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a table illustrating subscribers' profiles that are stored in a signaling provider's network; and FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the logical sequence of steps in methods for completing calls in the communications system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Detailed Description FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a narrowband communications system embodying the principles of the invention. The narrowband communications network illustrated in FIG. 1 is arranged to support Narrowband Integrated Services Digital Network (N-ISDN) standards from a signaling standpoint as well as from a transport perspective. Shown in FIG. 1 are transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190; long distance service provider networks 130 and 140; multimedia service provider networks 150 and 160; and signaling provider networks 120 and 170. Local Transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190 may be Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), cable television operator networks or cellular telephone networks or a combination of the above. One of the main characteristics of transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190 is that they provide the local loop to end-user devices at subscribers' premises.
In FIG. 1, user devices, such as telephone set 101, processor 102 and videophone 103 are connected to multiplexer/demultiplexer 104 via Basicl~ate Interface (BRI) access/egress links 109, 108, 107, respectively. As is well known in the art, one of the N-ISDN transport standards is the Basic Rate Interface (BRI) specification which defines operating parameters for the transmission and reception of multiplexed digital information (user information and signaling information) over a two-wire or four-wire digital subscriber loop. Digital information received and transmitted over that loop is logically partitioned into two bearer (B) channels for user information, and one data (D) channel for signaling information. The logical partitioning of data over those channels is commonly referred in the art as the "2B +
D interface". That interface is also supported on access/egress links 117-119 that connect end-user devices 111-113 to multiplexer/demultiplexer 114. BRI
access/egress links are also provided to mux/demux 184 and 194 for end-user ~1~.5~~~
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a broadband communications system arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a table illustrating subscribers' profiles that are stored in a signaling provider's network; and FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the logical sequence of steps in methods for completing calls in the communications system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Detailed Description FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a narrowband communications system embodying the principles of the invention. The narrowband communications network illustrated in FIG. 1 is arranged to support Narrowband Integrated Services Digital Network (N-ISDN) standards from a signaling standpoint as well as from a transport perspective. Shown in FIG. 1 are transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190; long distance service provider networks 130 and 140; multimedia service provider networks 150 and 160; and signaling provider networks 120 and 170. Local Transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190 may be Local Exchange Carrier (LEC), cable television operator networks or cellular telephone networks or a combination of the above. One of the main characteristics of transport provider and local service provider networks 100, 110, 180 and 190 is that they provide the local loop to end-user devices at subscribers' premises.
In FIG. 1, user devices, such as telephone set 101, processor 102 and videophone 103 are connected to multiplexer/demultiplexer 104 via Basicl~ate Interface (BRI) access/egress links 109, 108, 107, respectively. As is well known in the art, one of the N-ISDN transport standards is the Basic Rate Interface (BRI) specification which defines operating parameters for the transmission and reception of multiplexed digital information (user information and signaling information) over a two-wire or four-wire digital subscriber loop. Digital information received and transmitted over that loop is logically partitioned into two bearer (B) channels for user information, and one data (D) channel for signaling information. The logical partitioning of data over those channels is commonly referred in the art as the "2B +
D interface". That interface is also supported on access/egress links 117-119 that connect end-user devices 111-113 to multiplexer/demultiplexer 114. BRI
access/egress links are also provided to mux/demux 184 and 194 for end-user ~1~.5~~~
devices 181-183 and 191-193, respectively. End-user devices 101 to 103, 111 to 113, 181 to 183 and 191 to 193 are ISDN-compatible devices that are arranged to packetize signaling information that is transmitted over the D channel to initiate communications with other ISDN-compatible devices. Multiplexer/demultiplexers 104-114 and 184-194 demultiplex signaling data received over the D channel and forward those signals to Signaling Nodes 121 and 171, respectively. User information destined for the end-user devices are transmitted to those devices via the B channels of the access/egress links. User information received from the end-user devices are routed by multiplexer/demultiplexers 104-114 and 184-194 to switches 106-116 and 186-196, respectively. The latter switches are software-driven, processor-controlled telephone systems designed to route calls either from one switch to another or to end-user devices. A well-known Local Service Provider switch is the AT&T No. SESS~ which is described in AT&T Technical Journal, Vol. 64, No. 6, part 2, pp. 1305-1564, July/August, 1985.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is signaling provider network 120 (170) which includes a signaling service provider node (hereinafter called SSP) 121 (171) and a toll switch 122 (172). The latter switch, which may be implemented using, for example, an AT&T No. 4ESS~, is a software-driven, processor-controlled switching system which is arranged to communicate primarily with other toll switches or central office switches. SSP node 121 (171) performs three primary functions.
First, SSP node 121 (171) is the access and egress point for all signaling messages received from, and destined for the end-user devices. Secondly, SSP node 121 (171) processes the received signaling messages by requesting from the appropriate service providers the necessary connections, based on the services requested by the users.
Thirdly, it exchanges signaling messages with switches and processors in the network of FIG. 1 via other signaling nodes. While SSP node 121 (171) is illustrated in FIG. 1 as one physical node for the sake of simplicity, it is to be understood that SSP node 121 (171) may be composed of a plurality of interconnected nodes within signaling provider network 120, which can be arranged to switch signaling information according to ISDN-based signaling specific protocol.
FIG. 1 also discloses subscribers' database 123 (173) that is connected to SSP node 121 (171). Subscriber's database 123 (173) is a computer system with mass storage that contains addresses of particular service providers selected by each subscriber. A detailed description of the format in which information is stored in database 123 ( 173) is provided below.
~1~53~~
Also shown in FIG. 1 is signaling provider network 120 (170) which includes a signaling service provider node (hereinafter called SSP) 121 (171) and a toll switch 122 (172). The latter switch, which may be implemented using, for example, an AT&T No. 4ESS~, is a software-driven, processor-controlled switching system which is arranged to communicate primarily with other toll switches or central office switches. SSP node 121 (171) performs three primary functions.
First, SSP node 121 (171) is the access and egress point for all signaling messages received from, and destined for the end-user devices. Secondly, SSP node 121 (171) processes the received signaling messages by requesting from the appropriate service providers the necessary connections, based on the services requested by the users.
Thirdly, it exchanges signaling messages with switches and processors in the network of FIG. 1 via other signaling nodes. While SSP node 121 (171) is illustrated in FIG. 1 as one physical node for the sake of simplicity, it is to be understood that SSP node 121 (171) may be composed of a plurality of interconnected nodes within signaling provider network 120, which can be arranged to switch signaling information according to ISDN-based signaling specific protocol.
FIG. 1 also discloses subscribers' database 123 (173) that is connected to SSP node 121 (171). Subscriber's database 123 (173) is a computer system with mass storage that contains addresses of particular service providers selected by each subscriber. A detailed description of the format in which information is stored in database 123 ( 173) is provided below.
~1~53~~
Also shown in FIG. 1 are long distance service provider networks 130 (140) and multimedia service provider 150 (160). Long distance service provider network 130 ( 140) is comprised of toll switches 131 ( 141 ), 132 ( 142), and 133 ( 143) that are interconnected by transmission systems. Long distance service provider network 130 ( 140) is arranged to route calls to destination addresses received by Signaling Service Node 134 (144) (hereinafter called SSN) from SSP node 121 or 171. Similarly, multimedia service provider network 150 (160) receives destination addresses via SSN 154 (164). Multimedia service provider network 150 (160) may contain, for example, a repository of information such as data library, digitized imaging information, digital voice mail systems. Users wishing to get access to a particular type of stored information in multimedia service provider network ( 160) provides addressing information to the signaling node of their signaling provider network which requests connections) to the targeted service from multimedia service provider network 150 (160) via SSN 154 (164).
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a broadband communications system arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention. In FIG. 2, end-user device 201 (202) is connected to two separate transport providers networks 206 and 203 (250 and 220). End-user device 201 is an integrated television and workstation which is equipped with a camera and a telephone set and which is arranged to process digital information in the form of voice data, image and video. The transport provider networks 206 and 203 (220 and 250) to which end-user device 201 (202) is connected, include Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) switches 2061 and 2031 (2501 and 2101), respectively. The latter switches are fixed-length cell (packet), digital, self routing switching systems comprised of a switching fabric designed to route cells to logical channels indicated by their headers independently of~e applications or media. ATM switches 2061 and 2031 (2501 and 2101) also include a) line cards (not shown) that are designed to terminate incoming ATM lines 2030 (2500) and 2060 (2200) connected to end-user device 201 (202), and b) trunk cards terminating trunk facilities 2032 and 2072 (2502 and 2072) that provide channel links between ATM switches 2031 (2101) and 2071 (2501). Also included in ATM
switches 2031 (2501) and 2061 (2201) are components, such as multiplexing/demultiplexing modules and cross-connect hardware (not shown).
Those components are arranged to multiplex lower speed input traffic (received from line cards connected to end-user devices 201 and 202) into the higher speed switching fabric which supports Virtual Path and Virtual Circuit connections as defined in CCITT broadband standards. In particular, the CCITT standards provide for a routing header to be prepended to each cell. The header of each cell is comprised of fields which store Virtual Channel Indicator (VCI) and Virtual Path Indicators (VPI) data.
The VPI data identify a logical channel (that may be subdivided into lower bandwidth logical channels identified by VCI data) for a physical transmission path between two end points.
The CCITT standards further proscribe for a lookup table to map input pair of VPI/VCI for each cell of a corresponding output pair of VPI/VCI before a cell is transferred from one channel link (between two switching points) to another. Thus, a virtual channel connection is defined as the association of all the individual channel links between each pair of switches as determined by the lookup tables in those switches. If, for example, signalling provider network 207 is selected by the user of device 201 as the "signaling agent" for all services requested by device 201, then all signaling messages initiated by or destined for end-user 201 are processed by signaling provider network 207.
In this example, virtual channel connections are used to transport user's real data (payload) as well as user signaling information to a signaling provider selected by a user.
While protocols for signaling messages are still being defined by the international standard bodies, it is clear that the ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) will be used for signaling messages.
Thus, signaling messages will be carried as cells or frames in all signaling connections (point-point or multipoint) between an end-user device and ATM switches or any intelligent node in the network.
Also included in signaling providers 207 and 210 are databases 2073 and 2103, respectively. Those databases store signaling provider profile information which identifies the particular service providers and features selected by a subscriber. The type of information that is stored in databases 2073 and 2103 are described in further detail below.
Signaling provider networks 207 and 210 are arranged to a) receive signaling requests for access to services from end-user devices 201 and 202, and b) establish the appropriate connections to service providers networks selected by the users as determined by the end-user profiles. Although signaling provider networks 207 and 210 are shown as separate and independent networks, it is to be understood that the capabilities of signaling provider networks 207 and 210 can be included in multimedia service provider network 209 or 208 or long distance service provider network 205 or 230.
_7_ FIG. 2 also depicts long distance provider networks 205 and 230. The latter are communications systems comprised of ATM switches interconnected by transmission facilities to establish multimedia connections requested by users. For the sake of simplicity the ATM switches in long distance provider networks 205 and 230 are represented by a single switch 2051 and 2301, respectively. Multimedia connections that can be established over long distance networks 205 and 230 include audio (low and high fidelity), video (high and low bandwidth moving pictures) images (high bandwidth scanned images). These multimedia connections allow broadband multimedia telephony services to be provided between two locations.
Long Distance Service provider network 205 (230) is also arranged to provide video and audio teleconferencing services between more than two locations.
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are multimedia service provider networks 208 and 209. Multimedia service provider network 208 (209) includes a Service Control Point 2081 (2091) and a database 2082 (2092). Service Control Point 2081 (2091) is a preprocessor arranged to recognize the particular multimedia service requested by a user and to formulate a query that is launched to database 2082 (2092) to retrieve the particular set of information desired by the user. Hence, Service Control Point 2081 (2091 ) acts as an interface between signaling provider networks 207 and and database 2082 (2092). Service Control Point 2081 (2091) may also provide the human interface between Database 2082 (2092) and the users. Database 2082 (2092) is a processor-controlled mass storage device that contains bandwidth-intensive digitized imaging information such as medical images (X rays and MRI data), movies, video mail messages, to name a few.
FIG. 3 shows a table illustrating subscribers' profiles that are shored in a signaling provider's network. The table of FIG. 3 contains information that is grouped undo four major headers, namely, subscribers' addresses, transportJservice providers, incoming services and outgoing services. The subscriber's address field typically identifies the telephone number of a subscriber. For data retrieval service applications, however, a physical port identification number may also be used as a subscriber's address.
Under the transport/service providers header are grouped three segments, namely, access, egress and long distance. Each segment comprises two fields, namely, voice and multimedia. The voice field in all three segments indicates the.transport/service provider selected by a subscriber for communications services, such as conventional telephony, voiceband data, low bandwidth video services (less _g_ than 64 kilobits per second), to name a few. The multimedia field identifies a particular multimedia service/transport provider selected by a subscriber for communications services in which two bearer (B) channels are used for mixed voice, data and video applications. The access and egress segments identify the transport providers selected by a subscriber for receiving voice or multimedia communications services. For example, subscriber-1 has selected a) his/her Local Exchange Carrier as the transport provider for access/egress local telephone services, and b) Monmouth Cable TV Company as the access/egress transport provider for multimedia services.
The long distance segment identifies the service/transport provider selected by the subscriber for voice and multimedia long distance services. For example, subscriber-2 has opted to use US Sprint and Iridium as the long distance service provider for voice and multimedia services, respectively. Subscriber-1 has selected AT&T as the long distance service provider for both voice and multimedia services.
The voice field in all three segments indicates the transport/service provider selected by a subscriber for communications services, such as conventional telephony, voiceband data, low bandwidth video services (less than 64 kilobits per second), to name a few. Multimedia Services refer to communications services in which two bearer (B) channels are used for mixed voice, data and video applications.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is the incoming services header. Under that header are grouped particular incoming call features selected by a subscriber. For the sake of simplicity, only call waiting and voice mail are shown as incoming call features in FIG. 3. It is to be understood, however, that other incoming call features, such as call forwarding, call restriction or call redirection can also be part of a subscriber's profile.
A subscriber can also include in his/her profile desired features for outgoing calls. Those features are illustrated in FIG. 3 as quality of service field for voice and video services. For example, subscriber-2 has opted for high quality for voice and video services. High quality for audio services in an N-ISDN
environment may be implemented by dedicating an end-to-end full bearer channel - sixty-four (64) kilobits, as opposed to fifty-six (56) kilobits - for a regular telephone call. In a broadband environment, high quality audio services may require high fidelity characteristic for a call. High quality video in a broadband ISDN environment may require the use of High Definition Television (HDTV) standards for video connection, as opposed to the lower bandwidth-intensive National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standards for a video call.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the logical sequence of steps in an illustrative method for completing calls in the N-ISDN communications system of FIG. 1 and the broadband communications network of FIG. 2. That method is initiated in step 401, when a user at device 113 (of FIG. 1 ) or device 201 (of FIG. 2) for example, places a video call by dialing a called party number. The dialing of that number causes a signaling message to be launched to the signaling service provider pre-selected by the user. For example, in FIG. 1, a Q.931 or (alternatively) an ISUP information message is launched to the SSP
node 121 of signaling service provider 120 via the signaling channel (D channel or SS7 link) of loop 117 and mux/demux 114. When the ISUP protocol is used, the signaling information message is carried in a Message Transfer Part (MTP) packet that allows the mux/demux 114 to route the signaling message directly to the SSP node 121. Similarly, when the Q.931 protocol is used, the signaling information message is carried in a "Link Access Procedures on the D channel"
(LAPD) packet that allows the mux/demux 114 to route the signaling message to SSP node 121 using well-known frame relay switching techniques. As to FIG. 2, the signaling message is a Q.93B message that is included in one or more ATM cells that are routed to signaling provider 207 by transport provider network 203 or 206, based on the VPI/VCI of the cell(s).
Upon receiving the signaling message, the signaling provider network, in step 402, extracts information from the message to identify the calling party address or number, the requested services and the called party address or number. For example, in FIG. 1, SSP
node 121 extracts the ISUP (Q.931 ) information message from the MTP (LAPD) packet and identifies the calling party, the requested services, and the called party.
Similarly, in FIG. 2 the headers and ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) related bits are discarded to identify the requested services(s) and the addresses of calling and called parties.
The signaling provider node proceeds, in step 403, to query an attached database to identify any particular features that are associated with the requested services) and that have been pre-selected by the user. In FIG. 1, SSP node 121 queries database 123 to determine whether the user has subscribed to any of those features. In FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 queries database 2073 to inquire about the aforementioned features. This determination is based on the user's profile that is illustrated in FIG. 3. Thereafter, in step 404, the signaling provider of the called party is identified. Two alternate methods can be used to identify the signaling provider of the called party. The address of the signaling provider of the called party may be stored in database 123 of FIG. 1 or database 2073 of FIG. 2.
Hence, a database search that uses the called party number as a key allows the signaling provider of the called party to be identified. Alternatively, information associated with the signaling provider of the called party may be included in the dialed number that is included in the signaling message received by signaling provider network 120 or 207. For example, if AT&T is the signaling provider of subscriber-1 in FIG.
3, a caller who wants to direct a call to subscriber-1 will dial the number of subscriber-1 preceded by X288 where "X" is a digit between 0 and 9 and 288 corresponds to the letters A,T, T on the dialpad.
Once the signaling provider of the called party has been identified, the signaling provider network of the calling party, in step 405, sends a signaling message to the signaling provider of the called party indicating the requested services that are to be provided to the called party. In FIG. 1, SSP 121, sends an ISUP information message to the called party SSP node, in this case SSP 171.
The message is carried in an MTP packet that is routed by intervening SSPs (if any) to SSP 171. In FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 sends a B-ISUP message to the called party signaling provider, in this example ATM switch 2104 indicating the particular service that is destined for the called party. It is worth noting that step 405 is skipped when the calling and called parties have a common signaling provider.
In step 406, the signaling provider network queries its database to identify any pre-selected features that are associated with the services destined for the called party. For example, in FIG. 1, SSP node 171 queries database 173 to determine a) the egress transport provider selected by the called party and, b) the features pre-selected by the called party for incoming calls. Similarly, in FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 queries database 2073 to determine the associated features and the transport provider pre-selected by the called party.
In step 407, the called party signaling provider network responds to the the message of the calling party signaling provider network by identifying the address of the transport provider pre-selected by the called party and the particular features associated with the services) destined for the called party.
lllustratively, in FIG. 1, SSP node 171 sends to SSP node 121 an ISUP information message which contains addressing information of the called party's transport provider and incoming call feature routing information, if any. As to FIG. 2, ATM switch sends a B-ISUP message to ATM switch 2071 containing addresses of the transport provider pre-selected by the called party for that service and any features associated with that service.
~1~~~~~
Upon receiving the signaling message from the signaling provider of the called party, the signaling provider of the calling party has all the information required to invoke the services requested by the caller and to deliver those services.
Hence, in step 408, the signaling provider network of the calling party, sends a signaling message to the appropriate service providers of the calling and called parties to establish a connection between those parties. In FIG. 1, SSP 121, sends an information message to the access switch (in this example, access switch 116) of the transport provider to establish a connection between the calling party and the called party. The access switch 116 seizes the incoming line 117 from the calling party by generating an IAM message to end-user device 113. Access switch 116, then sends an IAM signaling message to switch 122 which, in turn, forwards that message to a switch of the long distance provider, say switch 133. The latter propagates the IAM
message through the long distance service provider network to switch 172 and ultimately to egress switch 186. Alternatively, a direct connection via a link can be established between switches 116 and 133 and/or between switches 186133 after exchanging signaling messages between those switches. After ISUP answer messages have been returned to access switch 116, the call is completed in a conventional manner.
The connection is established in FIG. 2 by ATM switch 2071 sending a) call request signaling messages to the pre-selected service providers associated with the services requested by the user, and b) connection request signaling messages to the transport provider pre-selected by the called party. For example, ATM
switch 2071 can issue a) a call request to SCP 2081 of multimedia service provider 208, and b) a connection request to transport provider 220 to establish a video connection to user 202.
If additional signaling messages are needed to add, for example, a third party to the call, in step 409, those messages are sent directly to SSP node 121 or 171, of FIG. 1 or ATM switch 2071 or 2104 of FIG. 2, as described above.
The foregoing merely illustrates the invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous arrangements which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are within their spirit and scope.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a broadband communications system arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention. In FIG. 2, end-user device 201 (202) is connected to two separate transport providers networks 206 and 203 (250 and 220). End-user device 201 is an integrated television and workstation which is equipped with a camera and a telephone set and which is arranged to process digital information in the form of voice data, image and video. The transport provider networks 206 and 203 (220 and 250) to which end-user device 201 (202) is connected, include Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) switches 2061 and 2031 (2501 and 2101), respectively. The latter switches are fixed-length cell (packet), digital, self routing switching systems comprised of a switching fabric designed to route cells to logical channels indicated by their headers independently of~e applications or media. ATM switches 2061 and 2031 (2501 and 2101) also include a) line cards (not shown) that are designed to terminate incoming ATM lines 2030 (2500) and 2060 (2200) connected to end-user device 201 (202), and b) trunk cards terminating trunk facilities 2032 and 2072 (2502 and 2072) that provide channel links between ATM switches 2031 (2101) and 2071 (2501). Also included in ATM
switches 2031 (2501) and 2061 (2201) are components, such as multiplexing/demultiplexing modules and cross-connect hardware (not shown).
Those components are arranged to multiplex lower speed input traffic (received from line cards connected to end-user devices 201 and 202) into the higher speed switching fabric which supports Virtual Path and Virtual Circuit connections as defined in CCITT broadband standards. In particular, the CCITT standards provide for a routing header to be prepended to each cell. The header of each cell is comprised of fields which store Virtual Channel Indicator (VCI) and Virtual Path Indicators (VPI) data.
The VPI data identify a logical channel (that may be subdivided into lower bandwidth logical channels identified by VCI data) for a physical transmission path between two end points.
The CCITT standards further proscribe for a lookup table to map input pair of VPI/VCI for each cell of a corresponding output pair of VPI/VCI before a cell is transferred from one channel link (between two switching points) to another. Thus, a virtual channel connection is defined as the association of all the individual channel links between each pair of switches as determined by the lookup tables in those switches. If, for example, signalling provider network 207 is selected by the user of device 201 as the "signaling agent" for all services requested by device 201, then all signaling messages initiated by or destined for end-user 201 are processed by signaling provider network 207.
In this example, virtual channel connections are used to transport user's real data (payload) as well as user signaling information to a signaling provider selected by a user.
While protocols for signaling messages are still being defined by the international standard bodies, it is clear that the ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) will be used for signaling messages.
Thus, signaling messages will be carried as cells or frames in all signaling connections (point-point or multipoint) between an end-user device and ATM switches or any intelligent node in the network.
Also included in signaling providers 207 and 210 are databases 2073 and 2103, respectively. Those databases store signaling provider profile information which identifies the particular service providers and features selected by a subscriber. The type of information that is stored in databases 2073 and 2103 are described in further detail below.
Signaling provider networks 207 and 210 are arranged to a) receive signaling requests for access to services from end-user devices 201 and 202, and b) establish the appropriate connections to service providers networks selected by the users as determined by the end-user profiles. Although signaling provider networks 207 and 210 are shown as separate and independent networks, it is to be understood that the capabilities of signaling provider networks 207 and 210 can be included in multimedia service provider network 209 or 208 or long distance service provider network 205 or 230.
_7_ FIG. 2 also depicts long distance provider networks 205 and 230. The latter are communications systems comprised of ATM switches interconnected by transmission facilities to establish multimedia connections requested by users. For the sake of simplicity the ATM switches in long distance provider networks 205 and 230 are represented by a single switch 2051 and 2301, respectively. Multimedia connections that can be established over long distance networks 205 and 230 include audio (low and high fidelity), video (high and low bandwidth moving pictures) images (high bandwidth scanned images). These multimedia connections allow broadband multimedia telephony services to be provided between two locations.
Long Distance Service provider network 205 (230) is also arranged to provide video and audio teleconferencing services between more than two locations.
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are multimedia service provider networks 208 and 209. Multimedia service provider network 208 (209) includes a Service Control Point 2081 (2091) and a database 2082 (2092). Service Control Point 2081 (2091) is a preprocessor arranged to recognize the particular multimedia service requested by a user and to formulate a query that is launched to database 2082 (2092) to retrieve the particular set of information desired by the user. Hence, Service Control Point 2081 (2091 ) acts as an interface between signaling provider networks 207 and and database 2082 (2092). Service Control Point 2081 (2091) may also provide the human interface between Database 2082 (2092) and the users. Database 2082 (2092) is a processor-controlled mass storage device that contains bandwidth-intensive digitized imaging information such as medical images (X rays and MRI data), movies, video mail messages, to name a few.
FIG. 3 shows a table illustrating subscribers' profiles that are shored in a signaling provider's network. The table of FIG. 3 contains information that is grouped undo four major headers, namely, subscribers' addresses, transportJservice providers, incoming services and outgoing services. The subscriber's address field typically identifies the telephone number of a subscriber. For data retrieval service applications, however, a physical port identification number may also be used as a subscriber's address.
Under the transport/service providers header are grouped three segments, namely, access, egress and long distance. Each segment comprises two fields, namely, voice and multimedia. The voice field in all three segments indicates the.transport/service provider selected by a subscriber for communications services, such as conventional telephony, voiceband data, low bandwidth video services (less _g_ than 64 kilobits per second), to name a few. The multimedia field identifies a particular multimedia service/transport provider selected by a subscriber for communications services in which two bearer (B) channels are used for mixed voice, data and video applications. The access and egress segments identify the transport providers selected by a subscriber for receiving voice or multimedia communications services. For example, subscriber-1 has selected a) his/her Local Exchange Carrier as the transport provider for access/egress local telephone services, and b) Monmouth Cable TV Company as the access/egress transport provider for multimedia services.
The long distance segment identifies the service/transport provider selected by the subscriber for voice and multimedia long distance services. For example, subscriber-2 has opted to use US Sprint and Iridium as the long distance service provider for voice and multimedia services, respectively. Subscriber-1 has selected AT&T as the long distance service provider for both voice and multimedia services.
The voice field in all three segments indicates the transport/service provider selected by a subscriber for communications services, such as conventional telephony, voiceband data, low bandwidth video services (less than 64 kilobits per second), to name a few. Multimedia Services refer to communications services in which two bearer (B) channels are used for mixed voice, data and video applications.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is the incoming services header. Under that header are grouped particular incoming call features selected by a subscriber. For the sake of simplicity, only call waiting and voice mail are shown as incoming call features in FIG. 3. It is to be understood, however, that other incoming call features, such as call forwarding, call restriction or call redirection can also be part of a subscriber's profile.
A subscriber can also include in his/her profile desired features for outgoing calls. Those features are illustrated in FIG. 3 as quality of service field for voice and video services. For example, subscriber-2 has opted for high quality for voice and video services. High quality for audio services in an N-ISDN
environment may be implemented by dedicating an end-to-end full bearer channel - sixty-four (64) kilobits, as opposed to fifty-six (56) kilobits - for a regular telephone call. In a broadband environment, high quality audio services may require high fidelity characteristic for a call. High quality video in a broadband ISDN environment may require the use of High Definition Television (HDTV) standards for video connection, as opposed to the lower bandwidth-intensive National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standards for a video call.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing the logical sequence of steps in an illustrative method for completing calls in the N-ISDN communications system of FIG. 1 and the broadband communications network of FIG. 2. That method is initiated in step 401, when a user at device 113 (of FIG. 1 ) or device 201 (of FIG. 2) for example, places a video call by dialing a called party number. The dialing of that number causes a signaling message to be launched to the signaling service provider pre-selected by the user. For example, in FIG. 1, a Q.931 or (alternatively) an ISUP information message is launched to the SSP
node 121 of signaling service provider 120 via the signaling channel (D channel or SS7 link) of loop 117 and mux/demux 114. When the ISUP protocol is used, the signaling information message is carried in a Message Transfer Part (MTP) packet that allows the mux/demux 114 to route the signaling message directly to the SSP node 121. Similarly, when the Q.931 protocol is used, the signaling information message is carried in a "Link Access Procedures on the D channel"
(LAPD) packet that allows the mux/demux 114 to route the signaling message to SSP node 121 using well-known frame relay switching techniques. As to FIG. 2, the signaling message is a Q.93B message that is included in one or more ATM cells that are routed to signaling provider 207 by transport provider network 203 or 206, based on the VPI/VCI of the cell(s).
Upon receiving the signaling message, the signaling provider network, in step 402, extracts information from the message to identify the calling party address or number, the requested services and the called party address or number. For example, in FIG. 1, SSP
node 121 extracts the ISUP (Q.931 ) information message from the MTP (LAPD) packet and identifies the calling party, the requested services, and the called party.
Similarly, in FIG. 2 the headers and ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) related bits are discarded to identify the requested services(s) and the addresses of calling and called parties.
The signaling provider node proceeds, in step 403, to query an attached database to identify any particular features that are associated with the requested services) and that have been pre-selected by the user. In FIG. 1, SSP node 121 queries database 123 to determine whether the user has subscribed to any of those features. In FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 queries database 2073 to inquire about the aforementioned features. This determination is based on the user's profile that is illustrated in FIG. 3. Thereafter, in step 404, the signaling provider of the called party is identified. Two alternate methods can be used to identify the signaling provider of the called party. The address of the signaling provider of the called party may be stored in database 123 of FIG. 1 or database 2073 of FIG. 2.
Hence, a database search that uses the called party number as a key allows the signaling provider of the called party to be identified. Alternatively, information associated with the signaling provider of the called party may be included in the dialed number that is included in the signaling message received by signaling provider network 120 or 207. For example, if AT&T is the signaling provider of subscriber-1 in FIG.
3, a caller who wants to direct a call to subscriber-1 will dial the number of subscriber-1 preceded by X288 where "X" is a digit between 0 and 9 and 288 corresponds to the letters A,T, T on the dialpad.
Once the signaling provider of the called party has been identified, the signaling provider network of the calling party, in step 405, sends a signaling message to the signaling provider of the called party indicating the requested services that are to be provided to the called party. In FIG. 1, SSP 121, sends an ISUP information message to the called party SSP node, in this case SSP 171.
The message is carried in an MTP packet that is routed by intervening SSPs (if any) to SSP 171. In FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 sends a B-ISUP message to the called party signaling provider, in this example ATM switch 2104 indicating the particular service that is destined for the called party. It is worth noting that step 405 is skipped when the calling and called parties have a common signaling provider.
In step 406, the signaling provider network queries its database to identify any pre-selected features that are associated with the services destined for the called party. For example, in FIG. 1, SSP node 171 queries database 173 to determine a) the egress transport provider selected by the called party and, b) the features pre-selected by the called party for incoming calls. Similarly, in FIG. 2, ATM switch 2071 queries database 2073 to determine the associated features and the transport provider pre-selected by the called party.
In step 407, the called party signaling provider network responds to the the message of the calling party signaling provider network by identifying the address of the transport provider pre-selected by the called party and the particular features associated with the services) destined for the called party.
lllustratively, in FIG. 1, SSP node 171 sends to SSP node 121 an ISUP information message which contains addressing information of the called party's transport provider and incoming call feature routing information, if any. As to FIG. 2, ATM switch sends a B-ISUP message to ATM switch 2071 containing addresses of the transport provider pre-selected by the called party for that service and any features associated with that service.
~1~~~~~
Upon receiving the signaling message from the signaling provider of the called party, the signaling provider of the calling party has all the information required to invoke the services requested by the caller and to deliver those services.
Hence, in step 408, the signaling provider network of the calling party, sends a signaling message to the appropriate service providers of the calling and called parties to establish a connection between those parties. In FIG. 1, SSP 121, sends an information message to the access switch (in this example, access switch 116) of the transport provider to establish a connection between the calling party and the called party. The access switch 116 seizes the incoming line 117 from the calling party by generating an IAM message to end-user device 113. Access switch 116, then sends an IAM signaling message to switch 122 which, in turn, forwards that message to a switch of the long distance provider, say switch 133. The latter propagates the IAM
message through the long distance service provider network to switch 172 and ultimately to egress switch 186. Alternatively, a direct connection via a link can be established between switches 116 and 133 and/or between switches 186133 after exchanging signaling messages between those switches. After ISUP answer messages have been returned to access switch 116, the call is completed in a conventional manner.
The connection is established in FIG. 2 by ATM switch 2071 sending a) call request signaling messages to the pre-selected service providers associated with the services requested by the user, and b) connection request signaling messages to the transport provider pre-selected by the called party. For example, ATM
switch 2071 can issue a) a call request to SCP 2081 of multimedia service provider 208, and b) a connection request to transport provider 220 to establish a video connection to user 202.
If additional signaling messages are needed to add, for example, a third party to the call, in step 409, those messages are sent directly to SSP node 121 or 171, of FIG. 1 or ATM switch 2071 or 2104 of FIG. 2, as described above.
The foregoing merely illustrates the invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous arrangements which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are within their spirit and scope.
Claims (9)
1. A broadband communications network comprising at least one signaling node of a signaling network for receiving signaling messages from a subscriber's device, said signaling network operating under the control of a signaling provider pre-selected by the subscriber;
at least one service node for providing at least one communications service to the subscriber's device upon request from the at least one signaling node, said at least one service node operating under the control of a service provider selected by the subscriber;
and a transport system of a first transport provider for delivering said signaling messages from the subscriber's device to the at least one signaling node, and a transport network of a second transport provider for delivering the at least one communications service from the at least one service node to the subscriber's device, said transport system and said transport network being logically independent of the signaling network of the signaling provider.
at least one service node for providing at least one communications service to the subscriber's device upon request from the at least one signaling node, said at least one service node operating under the control of a service provider selected by the subscriber;
and a transport system of a first transport provider for delivering said signaling messages from the subscriber's device to the at least one signaling node, and a transport network of a second transport provider for delivering the at least one communications service from the at least one service node to the subscriber's device, said transport system and said transport network being logically independent of the signaling network of the signaling provider.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said service provider is selected by said subscriber on a call-by-call basis.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said service provider is pre-selected by said subscriber.
4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for exchanging signaling messages between said at least one signaling node and one or more other particular signaling nodes under the control of one or more other signaling providers pre-selected by one or more other subscribers associated with one or more other terminal devices to which said subscriber's device wants to communicate; and means for establishing one or more end-to-end routes for communications between said subscriber's device and said one or more other terminal devices.
5. The invention of claim 4 further comprising means for determining service providers for incoming communications pre-selected by said one or more other subscribers for the establishment of said one or more end-to-end routes.
6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said determining means includes means for identifying from a profile pre-stored in databases connected to the one or more other signaling nodes the addresses of the service providers.
7. In a broadband communication network, a method of completing a call initiated by a caller, said method comprising the steps of:
establishing a signaling connection from an end-user device being used by the caller to a node of a particular signaling provider's network preselected by the caller, the connection being established via a node of a transport provider's network which a) operates logically independently of said signaling provider's network, and b) communicates unaltered said caller's signaling messages to the node of the signaling provider's network;
processing said signaling messages in said signaling provider's node by determining from the signaling messages and pre-stored data a) at least one feature requested by the caller for said call, b) an associated provider of said feature, and c) a transport facility over which communications signals for said call and said feature are to be routed for said caller; and completing the call using said transport facility.
establishing a signaling connection from an end-user device being used by the caller to a node of a particular signaling provider's network preselected by the caller, the connection being established via a node of a transport provider's network which a) operates logically independently of said signaling provider's network, and b) communicates unaltered said caller's signaling messages to the node of the signaling provider's network;
processing said signaling messages in said signaling provider's node by determining from the signaling messages and pre-stored data a) at least one feature requested by the caller for said call, b) an associated provider of said feature, and c) a transport facility over which communications signals for said call and said feature are to be routed for said caller; and completing the call using said transport facility.
8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said communication service provider is selected by said caller on a call-by-call basis.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the call is directed to one or more called parties, said method further comprising the steps of:
establishing a signaling connection from the caller's signaling node to the one or more called parties' signaling nodes identified by address information in the signaling messages;
determining at the one or more called parties' signaling nodes addresses of transport providers pre-selected by the one or more called parties for incoming communications services destined for said called parties; and completing the call using the caller's service provider communications facilities and the one or more called-parties-selected transport provider facilities.
establishing a signaling connection from the caller's signaling node to the one or more called parties' signaling nodes identified by address information in the signaling messages;
determining at the one or more called parties' signaling nodes addresses of transport providers pre-selected by the one or more called parties for incoming communications services destined for said called parties; and completing the call using the caller's service provider communications facilities and the one or more called-parties-selected transport provider facilities.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/164,514 US5473679A (en) | 1993-12-09 | 1993-12-09 | Signaling system for broadband communications networks |
US164,514 | 1993-12-09 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2118352A1 CA2118352A1 (en) | 1995-06-10 |
CA2118352C true CA2118352C (en) | 2000-04-25 |
Family
ID=22594843
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002118352A Expired - Fee Related CA2118352C (en) | 1993-12-09 | 1994-10-18 | A signaling system for broadband communications networks |
Country Status (15)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5473679A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0658063A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH07203022A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100317863B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1115141A (en) |
AU (1) | AU681715B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9404748A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2118352C (en) |
CZ (1) | CZ303894A3 (en) |
HU (1) | HUT71562A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ270053A (en) |
PL (1) | PL306175A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU94043810A (en) |
SG (1) | SG72607A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW247983B (en) |
Families Citing this family (159)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5353331A (en) | 1992-03-05 | 1994-10-04 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Personal communications service using wireline/wireless integration |
US5583920A (en) * | 1992-04-17 | 1996-12-10 | Bell Atlantic | Intelligent peripheral in video dial tone network |
US6594688B2 (en) | 1993-10-01 | 2003-07-15 | Collaboration Properties, Inc. | Dedicated echo canceler for a workstation |
US5689641A (en) | 1993-10-01 | 1997-11-18 | Vicor, Inc. | Multimedia collaboration system arrangement for routing compressed AV signal through a participant site without decompressing the AV signal |
US7185054B1 (en) | 1993-10-01 | 2007-02-27 | Collaboration Properties, Inc. | Participant display and selection in video conference calls |
US5953389A (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1999-09-14 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Combination system for provisioning and maintaining telephone network facilities in a public switched telephone network |
US5644619A (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1997-07-01 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Analysis and validation system for provisioning a public switched telephone network |
DE4341888C1 (en) * | 1993-12-08 | 1995-04-06 | Siemens Ag | Method for controlling components of a communications system |
US5563939A (en) * | 1993-12-09 | 1996-10-08 | At&T | Method and system for delivering a communication service |
EP0669748A2 (en) * | 1994-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | US WEST Technologies, Inc. | Service delivery using broadband |
US5920562A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 1999-07-06 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | Systems and methods for providing enhanced services for telecommunication call |
US5991301A (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 1999-11-23 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system |
US6023474A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2000-02-08 | Sprint Communications C.O.L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system interface |
US6631133B1 (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 2003-10-07 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system |
US6633561B2 (en) | 1994-05-05 | 2003-10-14 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Method, system and apparatus for telecommunications control |
CZ286974B6 (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 2000-08-16 | Sprint Communications Co | Method and apparatus for control of signaling processing system |
US6430195B1 (en) | 1994-05-05 | 2002-08-06 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system interface |
US6031840A (en) * | 1995-12-07 | 2000-02-29 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | Telecommunications system |
US6172977B1 (en) | 1994-05-05 | 2001-01-09 | Sprint Communications Company, L. P. | ATM direct access line system |
US5926482A (en) | 1994-05-05 | 1999-07-20 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | Telecommunications apparatus, system, and method with an enhanced signal transfer point |
US6314103B1 (en) | 1994-05-05 | 2001-11-06 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | System and method for allocating bandwidth for a call |
US6181703B1 (en) | 1995-09-08 | 2001-01-30 | Sprint Communications Company L. P. | System for managing telecommunications |
US5694546A (en) | 1994-05-31 | 1997-12-02 | Reisman; Richard R. | System for automatic unattended electronic information transport between a server and a client by a vendor provided transport software with a manifest list |
US5612733A (en) * | 1994-07-18 | 1997-03-18 | C-Phone Corporation | Optics orienting arrangement for videoconferencing system |
US5586177A (en) * | 1995-09-06 | 1996-12-17 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Intelligent signal transfer point (ISTP) |
US5592477A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1997-01-07 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Video and TELCO network control functionality |
US5659544A (en) * | 1994-10-17 | 1997-08-19 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and system for distributed control in wireless cellular and personal communication systems |
US5754787A (en) * | 1994-12-23 | 1998-05-19 | Intel Corporation | System for electronically publishing objects with header specifying minimum and maximum required transport delivery rates and threshold being amount publisher is willing to pay |
US5631954A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1997-05-20 | Mitel Corporation | Method and apparatus for controlling a telephone |
US6972786B1 (en) | 1994-12-30 | 2005-12-06 | Collaboration Properties, Inc. | Multimedia services using central office |
US5751338A (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 1998-05-12 | Visionary Corporate Technologies | Methods and systems for multimedia communications via public telephone networks |
US5742670A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1998-04-21 | Ncr Corporation | Passive telephone monitor to control collaborative systems |
US5973724A (en) * | 1995-02-24 | 1999-10-26 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Merging multiple teleconferences |
US5854898A (en) | 1995-02-24 | 1998-12-29 | Apple Computer, Inc. | System for automatically adding additional data stream to existing media connection between two end points upon exchange of notifying and confirmation messages therebetween |
US5572582A (en) * | 1995-02-24 | 1996-11-05 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Method and apparatus for establishing communication between two teleconferencing endpoints |
US5659542A (en) * | 1995-03-03 | 1997-08-19 | Intecom, Inc. | System and method for signalling and call processing for private and hybrid communications systems including multimedia systems |
US5600644A (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 1997-02-04 | At&T | Method and apparatus for interconnecting LANs |
US5651010A (en) * | 1995-03-16 | 1997-07-22 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Simultaneous overlapping broadcasting of digital programs |
US5822324A (en) * | 1995-03-16 | 1998-10-13 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Simulcasting digital video programs for broadcast and interactive services |
US5574782A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1996-11-12 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Minimizing service disruptions in handling call request messages where new message formats are needed in a telecommunication network |
US5778056A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1998-07-07 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Broadband network and method for connecting information providers |
US5574778A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1996-11-12 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing video services |
US5574779A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1996-11-12 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Method and apparatus for provisioning network services |
US5696815A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1997-12-09 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Method and apparatus for delivering caller identification information and services |
US5581552A (en) * | 1995-05-23 | 1996-12-03 | At&T | Multimedia server |
US5970131A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1999-10-19 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Method for providing location/geographic portability in a system having different service providers within a common numbering plan area |
US5887056A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1999-03-23 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks | Method for routing telephone calls to subscribers of different service providers within a common numbering plan area |
US5748724A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1998-05-05 | Siemens Stomberg-Carlson | Method for transferring a subscriber to a new local service provider |
EP0751691A3 (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 2000-09-13 | Siemens Stromberg-Carlson | A method for routing telephone calls to subscribers of different service providers within a common numbering plan area |
US5978464A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1999-11-02 | Siemens Information And Communications Networks, Inc. | Method for updating a local switch internal database in system having different service providers within a common numbering plan area |
US6009160A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1999-12-28 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Method for routing a call |
US5991388A (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 1999-11-23 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Method and system for routing calls to a party |
US5826166A (en) * | 1995-07-06 | 1998-10-20 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Digital entertainment terminal providing dynamic execution in video dial tone networks |
US5790173A (en) * | 1995-07-20 | 1998-08-04 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Advanced intelligent network having digital entertainment terminal or the like interacting with integrated service control point |
US5835583A (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1998-11-10 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Mediated AIN control of short code access to information service providers |
US5566235A (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1996-10-15 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Customer controlled service mediation management |
US6212204B1 (en) * | 1995-11-22 | 2001-04-03 | Clayton S. Depue | Subscriber line multiplexer |
US6081529A (en) * | 1995-11-22 | 2000-06-27 | Sprint Communications Company, L. P. | ATM transport system |
US5848053A (en) * | 1995-12-05 | 1998-12-08 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Telecommunications network for serving users from multiple switches |
US5673255A (en) * | 1995-12-28 | 1997-09-30 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Apparatus for providing service to telephone subscribers connected to a remote terminal from multiple telephone service providers |
WO1997024842A2 (en) * | 1995-12-29 | 1997-07-10 | Mci Communications Corporation | Method and system for resilient frame relay network interconnection |
CA2193015C (en) * | 1996-01-04 | 2001-04-03 | Dominic Ricciardi | Network architecture for routing of adjunct based services |
US5940383A (en) * | 1996-01-29 | 1999-08-17 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Automatic data service selection |
WO1997028622A1 (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1997-08-07 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Atm gateway system |
US5898830A (en) | 1996-10-17 | 1999-04-27 | Network Engineering Software | Firewall providing enhanced network security and user transparency |
US5826014A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1998-10-20 | Network Engineering Software | Firewall system for protecting network elements connected to a public network |
US8117298B1 (en) | 1996-02-26 | 2012-02-14 | Graphon Corporation | Multi-homed web server |
US5825750A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1998-10-20 | Motorola | Method and apparatus for maintaining security in a packetized data communications network |
US5867562A (en) * | 1996-04-17 | 1999-02-02 | Scherer; Gordon F. | Call processing system with call screening |
US6975708B1 (en) | 1996-04-17 | 2005-12-13 | Convergys Cmg Utah, Inc. | Call processing system with call screening |
US5943408A (en) * | 1996-04-22 | 1999-08-24 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Flexible direct signaling system |
US5917819A (en) * | 1996-04-26 | 1999-06-29 | Cascade Communications Corp. | Remapping of ATM cells for multicast transmission |
US5974052A (en) * | 1996-05-10 | 1999-10-26 | U.S.T.N. Services | Frame relay access device and method for transporting SS7 information between signaling points |
DE19621403C2 (en) * | 1996-05-28 | 2001-10-18 | Siemens Ag | Method for connecting subscribers to the communication systems of a plurality of network operators |
EP0810800A3 (en) * | 1996-05-28 | 2001-01-03 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for connecting subscribers to the communication systems of a plurality of network service providers |
US5940393A (en) | 1996-05-28 | 1999-08-17 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | Telecommunications system with a connection processing system |
US5999524A (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Dial access switching interface for frame relay |
US6898620B1 (en) | 1996-06-07 | 2005-05-24 | Collaboration Properties, Inc. | Multiplexing video and control signals onto UTP |
WO1997049222A1 (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1997-12-24 | Bell Communications Research, Inc. | Broadband network and method |
US6807170B1 (en) | 1996-06-27 | 2004-10-19 | Worldcom, Inc. | System and method for implementing user-to-user information transfer services |
US5912887A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1999-06-15 | Mciworldcom, Inc. | System and method for implementing user-to-user data transfer services |
US6298120B1 (en) | 1996-06-28 | 2001-10-02 | At&T Corp. | Intelligent processing for establishing communication over the internet |
US5818906A (en) * | 1996-07-02 | 1998-10-06 | Motorola Inc. | Connection event reporting in a cable telephony system |
US5748717A (en) * | 1996-07-19 | 1998-05-05 | Bellsouth Corporation | Method and system for assigning a communication to a preferred carrier for accounting and/or communication routing purposes |
EP0836345A3 (en) * | 1996-08-23 | 2001-03-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Intelligent network for switching broadband services |
US5892764A (en) * | 1996-09-16 | 1999-04-06 | Sphere Communications Inc. | ATM LAN telephone system |
EP0933003A1 (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1999-08-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method of handling service connections in a communication network |
GB2318477A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1998-04-22 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Network architecture |
US6031904A (en) * | 1996-10-23 | 2000-02-29 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Service order mechanism for telephone subscriber |
US6016307A (en) | 1996-10-31 | 2000-01-18 | Connect One, Inc. | Multi-protocol telecommunications routing optimization |
US6473404B1 (en) | 1998-11-24 | 2002-10-29 | Connect One, Inc. | Multi-protocol telecommunications routing optimization |
AU718960B2 (en) | 1996-11-22 | 2000-05-04 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | System and method for transporting a call in a telecommunication network |
US6002689A (en) | 1996-11-22 | 1999-12-14 | Sprint Communications Co. L.P. | System and method for interfacing a local communication device |
US6115380A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2000-09-05 | Sprint Communications Co., L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system |
US6667982B2 (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2003-12-23 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Broadband telecommunications system interface |
US6014378A (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2000-01-11 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Telecommunications tandem system for circuit-based traffic |
US6272215B1 (en) * | 1996-12-06 | 2001-08-07 | At&T Corp. | Intelligent call redirection |
US6144731A (en) * | 1997-03-12 | 2000-11-07 | Harris Corporation | Distributed telephony management |
US6067299A (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 2000-05-23 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Communications system for providing ATM connections and echo cancellation |
US6704327B1 (en) | 1997-05-09 | 2004-03-09 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | System and method for connecting a call |
US6137800A (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 2000-10-24 | Sprint Communications Company, L. P. | System and method for connecting a call |
US6178170B1 (en) | 1997-05-13 | 2001-01-23 | Sprint Communications Company, L. P. | System and method for transporting a call |
DE19720274C2 (en) * | 1997-05-14 | 1999-12-16 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Communication system, method and processing device for switching calls over a transmission network arranged between two local area networks |
US5999612A (en) * | 1997-05-27 | 1999-12-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Integrated telephony and data services over cable networks |
US6810257B1 (en) | 1997-06-26 | 2004-10-26 | At&T Wireless Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing partitioned telecommunication services |
US6345293B1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2002-02-05 | Microsoft Corporation | Personalized information for an end user transmitted over a computer network |
EP1021757A1 (en) | 1997-07-25 | 2000-07-26 | Starvox, Inc. | Apparatus and method for integrated voice gateway |
US6035028A (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 2000-03-07 | Alcatel Usa Sourcing, L.P. | Telecommunications network architecture enabling local services resale in a legacy network |
EP0898430B1 (en) | 1997-08-15 | 2012-08-01 | Time Warner Cable, Inc. | Communications system |
US6192050B1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2001-02-20 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and apparatus for inquiry response via internet |
WO1999037059A1 (en) * | 1998-01-14 | 1999-07-22 | At & T Corp. | A method and system for telephony and high speed data access on a broadband access network |
US6130941A (en) * | 1998-01-29 | 2000-10-10 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and system for providing access and control for telephone information databases |
US6483837B1 (en) | 1998-02-20 | 2002-11-19 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for connecting a call with an interworking system |
US6563918B1 (en) | 1998-02-20 | 2003-05-13 | Sprint Communications Company, LP | Telecommunications system architecture for connecting a call |
US6470019B1 (en) | 1998-02-20 | 2002-10-22 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for treating a call for call processing |
JPH11313177A (en) * | 1998-02-24 | 1999-11-09 | Toshiba Corp | Multi-media information communication system |
US6157634A (en) * | 1998-03-04 | 2000-12-05 | At&T Corp. | Dynamic interchangeability of voice and data channels and facilities in switched mode nodal networks |
US6125108A (en) * | 1998-04-02 | 2000-09-26 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Method and system for enhanced client identification |
US6546022B1 (en) | 1998-04-03 | 2003-04-08 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Method, system and apparatus for processing information in a telecommunications system |
US6160871A (en) | 1998-04-10 | 2000-12-12 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Communications test system |
US6567425B1 (en) * | 1998-04-23 | 2003-05-20 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Bearer independent signaling protocol |
US6549946B1 (en) * | 1998-05-21 | 2003-04-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for telecommunication routing and parameter negotiation |
US6760778B1 (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2004-07-06 | At&T Wireless Services, Inc. | System and method for communication between airborne and ground-based entities |
US6614781B1 (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2003-09-02 | Level 3 Communications, Inc. | Voice over data telecommunications network architecture |
US6707830B1 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2004-03-16 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and system for upgrading a terminal to terminal link in a telecommunication system |
US6658469B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2003-12-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for switching between network transport providers |
US6714217B2 (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2004-03-30 | Sprint Communication Company, L.P. | System and method for providing a graphical user interface to, for building, and/or for monitoring a telecommunication network |
US6978312B2 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2005-12-20 | Microsoft Corporation | Adaptive flow control protocol |
US6888833B1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2005-05-03 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for processing call signaling |
US6597701B1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2003-07-22 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for configuring a local service control point with a call processor in an architecture |
US6982950B1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2006-01-03 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for connecting a call in a tandem architecture |
US6785282B1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2004-08-31 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for connecting a call with a gateway system |
US6724765B1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2004-04-20 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Telecommunication call processing and connection system architecture |
US6496512B1 (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2002-12-17 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for connecting calls with a time division multiplex matrix |
US6425131B2 (en) * | 1998-12-30 | 2002-07-23 | At&T Corp. | Method and apparatus for internet co-browsing over cable television and controlled through computer telephony |
US8250620B1 (en) | 1998-12-30 | 2012-08-21 | At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. | System and method for sharing information between a concierge and guest |
US7079530B1 (en) | 1999-02-25 | 2006-07-18 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for caching toll free number information |
US7103068B1 (en) | 1999-05-04 | 2006-09-05 | Sprint Communication Company L.P. | System and method for configuring bandwidth transmission rates for call connections |
US6584321B1 (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2003-06-24 | At&T Wireless Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for wireless data services over a selected bearer service |
US7177939B2 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2007-02-13 | Cingular Wireless Ii, Llc | Aircraft data communications services for users |
US6895088B1 (en) | 1999-05-21 | 2005-05-17 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | System and method for controlling a call processing system |
US6721323B1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2004-04-13 | Tellab Operations, Inc. | Distributed virtual path |
US6542266B1 (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2003-04-01 | Qwest Communications International Inc. | System and method for providing broadband data service |
US6832254B1 (en) | 1999-08-23 | 2004-12-14 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and apparatus for associating an end-to-end call identifier with a connection in a multimedia packet network |
US6816497B1 (en) | 1999-11-05 | 2004-11-09 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | System and method for processing a call |
US6704314B1 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2004-03-09 | Sprint Communications Company, L.P. | Method and apparatus to control cell substitution |
US6535991B1 (en) | 2000-01-12 | 2003-03-18 | Worldcom, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing reliable communications in an intelligent network |
US6785377B1 (en) | 2000-01-19 | 2004-08-31 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Data calls using both constant bit rate and variable bit rate connections |
US7283512B2 (en) * | 2000-01-20 | 2007-10-16 | Verizon Business Global Llc | Intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM and point-to-multipoint connectivity |
JP3617406B2 (en) | 2000-03-30 | 2005-02-02 | 日本電気株式会社 | Quality assurance type communication service providing method and service providing method corresponding to multi-domain and service mediating apparatus |
US7324635B2 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2008-01-29 | Telemaze Llc | Branch calling and caller ID based call routing telephone features |
US6771762B1 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2004-08-03 | At&T Corp. | System and method for call merge to an AIN SSP from an intelligent peripheral |
US6973502B2 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2005-12-06 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. | Bearer identification tags and method of using same |
US6985573B2 (en) * | 2001-04-13 | 2006-01-10 | General Instrument Corporation | Customer premises equipment that can support multiple call control languages or multiple call agents |
US7320080B2 (en) * | 2003-10-15 | 2008-01-15 | Intel Corporation | Power management over switching fabrics |
CN100403843C (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2008-07-16 | 华为技术有限公司 | MNC conversion, and switching method between different MNCs |
DE102004043214A1 (en) * | 2004-09-03 | 2006-03-23 | Teles Ag Informationstechnologien | Method for establishing a network-specific telecommunications connection at a called subscriber line of a telecommunications network (reverse preselection, RevPS) |
US8144694B2 (en) * | 2008-06-11 | 2012-03-27 | Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. | System and method for providing equal access over packet-switched networks |
US8750174B2 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2014-06-10 | Broadcom Corporation | Dual carrier separation |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4565903A (en) * | 1983-08-03 | 1986-01-21 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Telephone interexchange carrier selection |
US5367566A (en) * | 1991-12-27 | 1994-11-22 | At&T Corp. | Common channel signaling message intercept system |
US5278889A (en) * | 1992-07-29 | 1994-01-11 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Video telephony dialing |
US5329308A (en) * | 1992-07-29 | 1994-07-12 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Bidirectional video telephony between cable television and switched telephone systems |
DE4225203A1 (en) * | 1992-07-30 | 1992-12-03 | Siemens Ag | DIGITAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK |
-
1993
- 1993-12-09 US US08/164,514 patent/US5473679A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-10-08 TW TW083109350A patent/TW247983B/en active
- 1994-10-18 CA CA002118352A patent/CA2118352C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-11-25 BR BR9404748A patent/BR9404748A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-11-28 KR KR1019940031423A patent/KR100317863B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-11-30 SG SG1996000862A patent/SG72607A1/en unknown
- 1994-11-30 EP EP94308849A patent/EP0658063A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-12-02 NZ NZ270053A patent/NZ270053A/en unknown
- 1994-12-02 AU AU79183/94A patent/AU681715B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-12-02 CZ CZ943038A patent/CZ303894A3/en unknown
- 1994-12-02 HU HU9403456A patent/HUT71562A/en unknown
- 1994-12-08 CN CN94112908A patent/CN1115141A/en active Pending
- 1994-12-08 PL PL94306175A patent/PL306175A1/en unknown
- 1994-12-08 JP JP30453094A patent/JPH07203022A/en active Pending
- 1994-12-09 RU RU94043810/09A patent/RU94043810A/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
HUT71562A (en) | 1995-12-28 |
US5473679A (en) | 1995-12-05 |
CZ303894A3 (en) | 1995-06-14 |
TW247983B (en) | 1995-05-21 |
EP0658063A2 (en) | 1995-06-14 |
NZ270053A (en) | 1997-07-27 |
RU94043810A (en) | 1996-10-20 |
KR950022448A (en) | 1995-07-28 |
CA2118352A1 (en) | 1995-06-10 |
HU9403456D0 (en) | 1995-02-28 |
BR9404748A (en) | 1995-08-08 |
SG72607A1 (en) | 2000-05-23 |
JPH07203022A (en) | 1995-08-04 |
AU681715B2 (en) | 1997-09-04 |
PL306175A1 (en) | 1995-06-12 |
KR100317863B1 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
CN1115141A (en) | 1996-01-17 |
AU7918394A (en) | 1995-06-15 |
EP0658063A3 (en) | 1997-07-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2118352C (en) | A signaling system for broadband communications networks | |
US5345443A (en) | Network-based digital bandwidth-on-demand | |
US6324179B1 (en) | ATM network arranged to interface with STM in-band signaling | |
US6449280B1 (en) | Broadband telecommunications system | |
US5568475A (en) | ATM network architecture employing an out-of-band signaling network | |
US5483527A (en) | Terminal adapter for interfacing an ATM network with a STM network | |
US5710769A (en) | Merging the functions of switching and cross connect in telecommunications networks | |
US5371534A (en) | ISDN-based system for making a video call | |
US6023474A (en) | Broadband telecommunications system interface | |
CA2271764C (en) | Broadband telecommunications system interface | |
RU2189706C2 (en) | System and method ganging up local communication facility | |
EP0706688B1 (en) | Broadband intelligent telecommunications network and method employing a resource system to support network services | |
EP0629091B1 (en) | Routing to intelligence | |
US7324534B2 (en) | Broadband telecommunications system interface | |
EP0629092B1 (en) | Routing to intelligence | |
JPH06205105A (en) | Dial-up exchange and transmission of wide band communication through local exchange | |
US5463683A (en) | Blocked call notification system | |
WO1998058502A1 (en) | Control of communication traffic | |
US7436851B1 (en) | Destination call routing apparatus and method | |
Chitre et al. | Architectures for the INTELSAT NISDN‐compatible satellite communications network | |
JPH04151935A (en) | User-user signal transfer system | |
CA2257667C (en) | Improved telecommunications network | |
Kumble et al. | Multi-service aspects of universal personal telecommunication | |
Boulter | The Integrated Services Digital Network | |
Ince et al. | ISDN Concepts and Standards |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
MKLA | Lapsed |