Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of communication traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch, comprising the steps of: selecting a controller to serve a communication; notifying the selected controller of the selection; determining the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and the selected controller refusing to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of notice of selection and a determination that the communication traffic load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of communication traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch, comprising the steps of: selecting a controller to serve a communication; notifying the selected controller of the selection; determining the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and the selected controller refusing to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of notice of selection and a determination that the communication traffic load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: the selected controller accepting to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the notice of selection and a determination that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to the refusal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of notifying comprises the step of notifying the selected controller of the selection via one of a first and a second signal; wherein the step of refusing comprises the step of the selected controller refusing to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and a determination that the load exceeds the predetermined level; and the method further comprising the steps of accepting by the selected controller accepting to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the first signal, and the selected controller accepting to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and a determination that the load subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: de-selecting the selected controller, in response to the refusal; and selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to the refusal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: de-selecting the selected controller, in response to the refusal by the selected controller; and the switch refusing to serve the communication, in response to the refusal by the selected controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: forcing a controller to serve the communication, in response to the refusal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: the selected controller accepting to serve the communication in response to determination that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level; sending a request to serve the communication to the selected controller for transmission on the associated link, in response to the acceptance; receiving over the associated link through the selected controller a refusal of the request to serve the communication, in response to the transmitted request to serve the communication; de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt of the refusal of the request; and selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the refusal of the request.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of communication traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch and a processor for controlling the switch, comprising the steps of: the processor selecting a controller to serve a communication in response to receipt of a request to serve the communication; notifying the selected controller of the selection; determining at the selected controller the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and the selected controller notifying the processor of refusal by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the notice of selection and a determination that the load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of communication traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch and a processor for controlling the switch, comprising the steps of: the processor selecting a controller to serve a communication in response to receipt of a request to serve the communication; notifying the selected controller of the selection; determining at the selected controller the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and the selected controller notifying the processor of refusal by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the notice of selection and a determination that the load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
157 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of notifying the selected controller comprises the step of notifying the selected controller of the selection via one of a first and a second signal; wherein the step of notifying the processor of refusal comprises the step of the selected controller notifying the processor of refusal by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and a determination that the load of the selected controller exceeds the predetermined level; and the method further comprising the steps of the selected controller notifying the processor of acceptance by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and a determination that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level, and the selected controller notifying the processor of acceptance by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the first signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 9 furhter comprising the steps of: the processor de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt of the notice of refusal; and the processor selecting antoher controller to serve the communication, in response to the receipt of the notice of refusal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 9 furhter comprising the steps of: the processor de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt of the notice of refusal; and the processor refusing to serve the communication by the switch, in response to the receipt of the notice of the selected controller's refusal,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: the processor forcing a controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the notice of refusal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of forcing a controller comprises the step of: notifying the controller that it is forced to serve the communication.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
183 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: the selected controller notifying the processor of acceptance by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the notice of selection and determination that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level; sending a request to serve the communication from the processor to the selected controller, in response to receipt of the notice of acceptance; transmitting the request to serve the communication from the selected controller on the associated link, in response to receipt of the request by the selected controller; receiving a refusal of the request to serve the communication at the selected controller over the associated llnk, in response to the transmitted request to handle the communication; sending the received refusal of the request from the selected controller to the processor; the processor de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the refusal of the request; and the processor selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to the receipt by the processor of the refusal of the request.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of call traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a processor for controlling the switch, and a plurality of trunk controllers each for interfacing an associated trunk to the switch and each capable of defining a plurality of channels simultaneously, each channel for a different call, comprising the steps of: the processor selecting a trunk controller to serve the call, in response to receipt by the processor of a call setup packet; sending a channel setup request packet from the processor to the selected trunk controller; determining at the selected trunk controller the call traffic load of the selected trunk controller; and sending a channel setup refusal packet from the selected trunk controller to the processor, in response both to receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination that the load of the selected trunk controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of call traffic load control in a packet switch that includes a processor for controlling the switch, and a plurality of trunk controllers each for interfacing an associated trunk to the switch and each capable of defining a plurality of channels simultaneously, each channel for a different call, comprising the steps of: the processor selecting a trunk controller to serve the call, in response to receipt by the processor of a call setup packet; sending a channel setup request packet from the processor to the selected trunk controller; determining at the selected trunk controller the call traffic load of the selected trunk controller; and sending a channel setup refusal packet from the selected trunk controller to the processor, in response both to receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination that the load of the selected trunk controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: sending a channel setup acceptance packet from the selected trunk controller to the processor, in response both to receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination that the load of the selected trunk controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: the processor de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet; and the processor selecting another trunk controller to serve the call, in response to the receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: sending a channel setup command packet from the processor to a trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet; and sending a channel setup acceptance packet from the trunk controller to the processor, in response to receipt by the trunk controller of the channel setup command packet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of selecting a trunk controller to serve the call is preceded by the step of sending a call setup packet, received by a first trunk controller over the associated trunk, from the first trunk controller to the processor; and wherein the step of sending a channel setup refusal packet from the selected trunk controller is followed by the steps of the processor de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet, and sending a call setup refusal packet from the processor to the first controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
187 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of selecting a trunk controller to serve the call is preceded by the step of sending a first call setup packet, received by a first trunk controller over the associated trunk, from the first trunk controller to the processor; and wherein the step of sending a channel setup acceptance packet is followed by the steps of sending a channel setup command packet from the processor to the first trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup acceptance packet, sending a channel setup acceptance packet from the first trunk controller to the processor, in response to receipt by the first trunk controller of the channel setup command packet, sending a second call setup acknowledgment packet from the processor to the first trunk controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to receipt by the processor of a channel setup acceptance packet, and sending a call setup packet from the processor to the selected trunk controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to receipt by the processor of a channel setup acceptance packet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of: the processor awaiting receipt from the selected trunk controller of one of a call setup refusal and a call setup acknowledgment packet received by the selected trunk controller over the associated trunk.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
165 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of: sending a call setup refusal packet, received by the selected trunk controller over the associated trunk in response to the second call setup packet, from the selected trunk controller to the processor; the processor de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the second call setup refusal packet; sending a first channel delete packet from the processor to the de-selected trunk controller; sending a first channel delete acknowledgment packet from the de-selected trunk controller to the processor, in response to receipt of the first channel delete packet; sending a second channel delete packet from the processor to the first trunk controller; sending a second channel delete acknowledgment packet from the first trunk controller to the processor, in response to receipt of the second channel delete packet; and the processor selecting another trunk controller to serve the call, in response to receipt by the processor of the call setup refusal packet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
110 words
A packet switch comprising: a plurality of controllers, each controller for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch; means for selecting a controller to serve a communication; means responsive to selection of a controller by the selecting means for notifying the selected controller of the selection; means for determining the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and means associated with the selected controller for refusing to serve the communication by the selected controller, in response to both receipt of notice from the notifying means of selection of the controller and determination by the determining means that the communication traffic load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
110 words
A packet switch comprising: a plurality of controllers, each controller for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch; means for selecting a controller to serve a communication; means responsive to selection of a controller by the selecting means for notifying the selected controller of the selection; means for determining the communication traffic load of the selected controller; and means associated with the selected controller for refusing to serve the communication by the selected controller, in response to both receipt of notice from the notifying means of selection of the controller and determination by the determining means that the communication traffic load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein the determining means comprise: means associated with the selected trunk controller for determining the communication traffic load of the associated controller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein the determining means comprise: means for determining the communication traffic load of the controller, in response to receipt of the notice from the notifying means of selection of the controller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for accepting to serve the communication by the selected controller, in response to both receipt of the notice from the notifying means of selection of the controller and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to refusal by the refusing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
123 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein the notifying means comprise means responsive to selection of a controller by the selecting means for notifying the selected controller of the selection via one of a first and a second signal; and wherein the refusing means comprise means for refusing to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and determination by the determining means that the communication traffic load of the selected controller exceeds the predetermined level, means for accepting to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the first signal, and in response to both receipt of the second signal and determination by the determining means that the communication traffic load of the second controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to refusal by the refusing means; and means cooperative with the de-selecting means for selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to the refusal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to refusal by the refusing means; and means cooperative with the de-selecting means for refusing to serve the communication by the switch, in response to the refusal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for forcing a controller to serve the communication, in response to refusal by the refusing means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
137 words
The switch of claim 24 further comprising: means for selecting the controller to serve a communication, in response to receipt of a request to serve the communication; means for accepting to serve the communication by the selected controller, in response to determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level; means for sending a request to serve the communication to the selected controller for transmission on the associated link, in response to acceptance by the accepting means; means for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt over the associated link through the selected controller of a refusal, responsive to the request, of the request; and means cooperative with the de-selecting means for selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the refusal of the request.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch and a processor for controlling the switch, the improvement comprising: means associated with the processor for selecting one of the controllers to serve a communication, in response to receipt of a request to serve the communication; means responsive to selection of a controller by the selecting means for notifying the selected controller of the selection; means associated with the selected controller for determining the communication traffic load thereof; and means associated with the selected controller for notifying the processor of the selected controller's refusal to handle the communication, in response both to receipt of selection notice from the selection-notifying means and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a packet switch that includes a plurality of controllers each for interfacing an associated communication link to the switch and a processor for controlling the switch, the improvement comprising: means associated with the processor for selecting one of the controllers to serve a communication, in response to receipt of a request to serve the communication; means responsive to selection of a controller by the selecting means for notifying the selected controller of the selection; means associated with the selected controller for determining the communication traffic load thereof; and means associated with the selected controller for notifying the processor of the selected controller's refusal to handle the communication, in response both to receipt of selection notice from the selection-notifying means and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
123 words
The switch of claim 34 wherein the selection-notifying means comprise means for notifying the selected controller of the selection via one of a first and a second signal; wherein the refusal-notifying means comprise means for notifying the processor of the selected controller's refusal to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of the second signal and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller exceeds the predetermined level; and means for notifying the processor of the selected controller's acceptance to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the first signal, and in response to both receipt of the second signal and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
The switch of claim 34 further comprising means associated with the processor for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt of notice of refusal by the refusal-notifying means; and wherein the selecting means comprise means for selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt of the notice of refusal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
The switch of claim 34 further comprising: means associated with the processor for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt of notice of refusal by the refusal-notifying means; and means associated with the processor for refusing to serve the communication by the switch, in response to receipt of the notice of refusal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 34 further comprising: means associated with the processor for forcing a controller to receipt of serve the call, in response to notice of refusal by the refusal-notifying means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 38 wherein the forcing means comprise: means for notifying the controller that it is forced to serve the call.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
192 words
The improvement of claim 34 further comprising: means for notifying the processor of acceptance by the selected controller to serve the communication, in response to both receipt of selection notice from the selection-notifying means and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected controller subceeds the predetermined level; means associated with the processor for sending to the selected controller a request to serve the communication, in response to receipt of notice of acceptance from the acceptance-notifying means; means associated with the selected controller for transmitting the request to serve the communication on the associated link, in response to receipt of the request from the request-sending means; means associated with the selected controller for sending to the processor a refusal, responsive to the transmitted request and received at the selected controller over the associated link, of the transmitted request, means associated with the processor for de-selecting the selected controller, in response to receipt by the processor of refusal of the transmitted request; and the selecting means including means for selecting another controller to serve the communication, in response to receipt by the processor of the refusal of the transmitted request.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a packet switch that includes a processor for controlling the switch, and a plurality of trunk controllers, each controller for interfacing an associated trunk to the switch and each controller capable of defining a plurality of channels simultaneously, each channel for a different call, the improvement comprising: means included in the processor for selecting one of the trunk controllers to serve a call, in response to receipt by the processor of a call setup packet; means associated with the processor for sending a channel setup request packet from the processor to a selected trunk controller in response to selection of the trunk controller by the selecting means; means included in the selected trunk controller for determining the call traffic load of the selected trunk controller; and means associated with the selected trunk controller for sendin9 a channel setup refusal packet to the processor, in response to both receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination by the determinin9 means that the load of the selected trunk controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a packet switch that includes a processor for controlling the switch, and a plurality of trunk controllers, each controller for interfacing an associated trunk to the switch and each controller capable of defining a plurality of channels simultaneously, each channel for a different call, the improvement comprising: means included in the processor for selecting one of the trunk controllers to serve a call, in response to receipt by the processor of a call setup packet; means associated with the processor for sending a channel setup request packet from the processor to a selected trunk controller in response to selection of the trunk controller by the selecting means; means included in the selected trunk controller for determining the call traffic load of the selected trunk controller; and means associated with the selected trunk controller for sendin9 a channel setup refusal packet to the processor, in response to both receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination by the determinin9 means that the load of the selected trunk controller exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
61 words
The switch of claim 41 wherein the channel setup refusal packet sendin9 means further comprise: means for sending a first channel setup acceptance packet to the processor, in response to both receipt by the selected trunk controller of the channel setup request packet and determination by the determining means that the load of the selected trunk controller subceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
61 words
The switch of claim 41 further comprising means included in the processor for de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet; and wherein the selecting means comprise means for selecting another trunk controller to serve the call, in response to the receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
78 words
The switch of claim 41 wherein the channel setup request packet sending means further comprise means for sending a channel setup command packet from the processor to a trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet; and wherein the channel setup refusal packet sending means comprise means for sending a channel setup acceptance packet to the processor, in response to receipt by the trunk controller of the channel setup command packet.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
94 words
The switch of claim 41 further comprising: means associated with a first trunk controller for sending to the processor a call setup packet received by the first trunk controller over the associated trunk; means included in the processor for de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet; and means associated with the processor for sending a call setup refusal packet to the first controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to the receipt by the processor of the channel setup refusal packet.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
179 words
The switch of claim 42 further comprising: means associated with a first trunk controller for sending a call setup packet, received by the first trunk controller over the associated trunk, to the processor, and further for sending a second channel setup acceptance packet to the processor, in response to receipt by the first trunk controller of a channel setup command packet; means associated with the processor for sending a channel setup command packet to the first trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of the first channel setup acceptance packet, and further for sending a second call setup acknowledgment packet to the first trunk controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to receipt by the processor of a channel setup acceptance packet; and wherein the sending means associated with the processor for sending a channel setup request packet to the selected controller further comprise means for sending a call setup packet to the selected trunk controller for transmission over the associated trunk, in response to receipt by the processor of a channel setup acceptance packet.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
205 words
The switch of claim 46 wherein the de-selecting means further comprise means for de-selecting the selected trunk controller, in response to receipt by the processor of a call setup refusal packet received by the selected trunk controller over the associated trunk in response to the second call setup packet; wherein the means associated with the processor for sending to the selected trunk controller further comprise means for sending a first channel delete packet to the de-selected trunk controller; wherein the sending means associated with the de-selected trunk controller further comprise means for sending a first channel delete acknowledgment packet to the processor, in response to receipt of the first channel delete packet; wherein the means associated with the processor for sending to the first trunk controller further comprise means for sending a second channel delete packet to the first trunk controller; wherein the sending means associated with the first trunk controller further comprise means for sending a second channel delete acknowledgment packet to the processor, in response to receipt of the second channel delete packet; and wherein the selecting means further comprise means for selecting another trunk controller to serve the call, in response to receipt by the processor of the call setup refusal packet.