Patent US5509010A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5509010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Communications signaling protocols
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-25
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2013-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A modular suite of peer-to-peer protocols that are independent of communications network architecture supported, and the type of switching systems (packet-switched or circuit-switched), is used for a broadband and/or narrowband communications network. The protocols are comprised of client-server-oriented signaling messages that are restricted to include information and parameters associated with only one particular function of traditional call processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. La Porta
- 👤 Malathi Veeraraghavan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/563; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/05; H04Q2213/056; H04Q2213/29; H04Q2213/345; H04Q2213/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of communicating signaling messages for use in broadband and narrowband communications networks, said method comprising the steps of: recognizing a plurality of operations associated with call processing functions to be performed in order for said networks to deliver communications services to one or more users: performing said call processing functions in a plurality of servers wherein each one of said servers executes a group of said operations that are substantially related to each other so as to limit communications between said servers in the performance of said call processing functions; and exchanging signaling messages between said servers for performing said call processing functions, said signaling messages being indicative of a) particular one or more operations to be performed within at least one of said servers, and b) performance attributes of said one or more operations to be performed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of communicating signaling messages for use in broadband and narrowband communications networks, said method comprising the steps of: recognizing a plurality of operations associated with call processing functions to be performed in order for said networks to deliver communications services to one or more users: performing said call processing functions in a plurality of servers wherein each one of said servers executes a group of said operations that are substantially related to each other so as to limit communications between said servers in the performance of said call processing functions; and exchanging signaling messages between said servers for performing said call processing functions, said signaling messages being indicative of a) particular one or more operations to be performed within at least one of said servers, and b) performance attributes of said one or more operations to be performed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said performing step includes the steps of: executing in a first server at least one group of operations associated with call control functions; executing in a second server at least one group of operations associated with channel control functions; and executing in a third server at least one group of operations associated with connection control functions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said call control functions include the operations of a) service invocation and coordination when multiple services are invoked in a call, b) user-to-user and user-to-server negotiation of resources, c) recognition of needs for special resources which include protocol converters and multimedia bridges, d) maintenance of call state and configuration information and e) management of ownership and permissions for calls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said channel control functions include the operations of a) allocation of resources on a link by link basis to implement a connection, and b) maintenance of Virtual Channel Identifier translation table entries to interconnect channels that are part of a connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said connection control functions comprise the operations of a) establishing, releasing, and modifying connections within a call, and b) computing end-to-end quality-of-service measurements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said servers define a switching complex implementing a pre-selected protocol for exchange of said signaling messages and wherein said switching complex includes a protocol conversion server for communications with different switches and servers using different protocols for communications of signaling messages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said switching complex is an Asynchronous Transfer Mode switching complex and said different switches are circuit-switch-based systems implementing narrowband ISDN as a protocol for exchange of signaling messages.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for exchanging signaling messages between entities of narrowband and broadband communications networks, said system comprising means for recognizing operations associated with call processing functions to be performed for delivery of communications services to users by said networks; means for performing said call processing functions in at least three servers, wherein each one of said servers executes a group of said operations that are substantially related to each other so as to limit signaling communications between said servers, and wherein said servers include a first server for call control functions, a second server for channel control functions, and a third server for connection control functions; and means for exchanging signaling messages between said servers to perform said call processing functions, said signaling messages being indicative of a) particular one or more operations to be performed within one of said servers, and b) performance attributes of said one or more operations to be performed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
154 words
A system for exchanging signaling messages between entities of narrowband and broadband communications networks, said system comprising means for recognizing operations associated with call processing functions to be performed for delivery of communications services to users by said networks; means for performing said call processing functions in at least three servers, wherein each one of said servers executes a group of said operations that are substantially related to each other so as to limit signaling communications between said servers, and wherein said servers include a first server for call control functions, a second server for channel control functions, and a third server for connection control functions; and means for exchanging signaling messages between said servers to perform said call processing functions, said signaling messages being indicative of a) particular one or more operations to be performed within one of said servers, and b) performance attributes of said one or more operations to be performed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 8 wherein at least one of said servers is included in a switch which further includes: means for communicating with at least one other switch which implements different rules for exchanging signaling data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |