US6038309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for externally controlling processing of a service call
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
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Filing: 1997-05-30
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2017-05-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a service control unit (SCU) for externally controlling call processing of a service call received on a port of a switch matrix. Call control processing is achieved through a high-speed communications link between the switch matrix and the SCU. The SCU receives a new call event notification message from the communications link and selects a service application stored within the SCU to control processing of the service call. One or more primitives is generated by the SCU and output to control actions of the switch matrix, thus controlling processing of the service call. The primitives may include a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the switch matrix. The SCU may execute different service application software programs that operate within the SCU for different types of service calls that are under the control of the SCU.
Inventors
- 👤 Geetha R. Ram
- 👤 Roger L. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/0037; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13336; H04Q2213/13345; H04Q2213/13349
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for externally controlling the processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for the apparatus to receive a first message from the switch matrix, the first message having call information of the service call; means for extracting the call information from the first message; means for storing one or more service applications; means for executing one of the service applications to control processing of the service call by using the call information to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and means for outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for externally controlling the processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for the apparatus to receive a first message from the switch matrix, the first message having call information of the service call; means for extracting the call information from the first message; means for storing one or more service applications; means for executing one of the service applications to control processing of the service call by using the call information to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and means for outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for extracting further comprises: means for selecting at least one of the service applications to control processing of the service call; and means for transmitting the first message to a processor for executing the selected service application.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein a first predetermined address defines the means for extracting and one or more predetermined addresses define the one or more service applications, and whereby at least a portion of the first message is routed to the means for extracting in response to a set of data within the call information, the set of data including the address of the means for extracting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for editing/adding/deleting at least one of the service applications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for storing and the means for executing comprise a computer system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the means for receiving comprises at least one digital communications interface unit and the means for outputting comprises at least one digital communications interface unit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
284 words
An apparatus for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for storing one or more service applications defined by one or more predetermined addresses; means for receiving over a first communications link a first message from a switch matrix, the first message having call information of the service call, whereby at least a portion of the first message is routed to the means for extracting in response to a set of data within the call information, the set of data including the address of the means for extracting; means for extracting the call information from the first message, said means for extracting being defined by a first predetermined address and further comprising: means for selecting from the one or more service applications a service application to control processing of the service call; and means for transmitting the message to a processor for executing the selected service application; means for executing one of the service applications to control processing of the service call; means for generating a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix, the primitive including the address of the service application controlling the service call is generated and output to the switch matrix, and wherein a subsequent message associated with the service call is received by the apparatus, and at least a portion of the subsequent message is routed to the service application in response to a set of data within the subsequent message, the set of data including the address of the service application; and means for outputting the primitive over the first communications link to the switch matrix.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
284 words
An apparatus for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for storing one or more service applications defined by one or more predetermined addresses; means for receiving over a first communications link a first message from a switch matrix, the first message having call information of the service call, whereby at least a portion of the first message is routed to the means for extracting in response to a set of data within the call information, the set of data including the address of the means for extracting; means for extracting the call information from the first message, said means for extracting being defined by a first predetermined address and further comprising: means for selecting from the one or more service applications a service application to control processing of the service call; and means for transmitting the message to a processor for executing the selected service application; means for executing one of the service applications to control processing of the service call; means for generating a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix, the primitive including the address of the service application controlling the service call is generated and output to the switch matrix, and wherein a subsequent message associated with the service call is received by the apparatus, and at least a portion of the subsequent message is routed to the service application in response to a set of data within the subsequent message, the set of data including the address of the service application; and means for outputting the primitive over the first communications link to the switch matrix.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for externally controlling the processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for externally controlling the processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the primitive includes data for instructing the switch matrix to connect the first port of the switch matrix to another port of the switch matrix.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the service call information comprises: arbitrator address data defining a predetermined address of a call distribution manager.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising the step of sending at least a portion of the new call event notification to the predetermined address of the call distribution manager, the call distribution manager performing the steps of processing the event notification and selecting one of the service applications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the step of storing the one or more service applications comprises the steps of: inputting the one or more service applications to a service control unit; and storing the one or more service applications in the service control unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling the processing of the service call in the switch matrix, and further including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling the processing of the service call in the switch matrix, and further including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 further comprising the steps of: receiving an event notification message into the apparatus, the event notification message including the return address data; and sending at least a portion of the event notification message to the predetermined address of the selected service application.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call, the service call information further comprising arbitrator address data defining a predetermined address of a call distribution manager; sending at least a portion of the new call event notification to the predetermined address of the call distribution manager for processing the service call information, and for selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix, and further including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a switch matrix, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call, the service call information further comprising arbitrator address data defining a predetermined address of a call distribution manager; sending at least a portion of the new call event notification to the predetermined address of the call distribution manager for processing the service call information, and for selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications; executing the selected service application to generate a primitive, the primitive including instruction data for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix, and further including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; and outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method in accordance with claim 15 further comprising the steps of: receiving an event notification message from the switch matrix, the event notification message including the return address data; and sending at least a portion of the event notification message to the predetermined address of the selected service application.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a communications link, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising, first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call, and arbitrator address data defining a predetermined address of a call distribution manager; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications to control processing of the service call; sending at least a portion of the new call event notification to the predetermined address of the call distribution manager, the call distribution manager performing the steps of processing the event notification and selecting one of the service applications; executing the selected service application; generating a first primitive, the primitive including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; outputting the first primitive to the communications link; receiving an event notification message from the communications link, the event notification message including the return address data; and sending at least a portion of the event notification message to the predetermined address of the selected service application in response to the return address data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for externally controlling processing of a service call received by a switch matrix in a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: storing one or more service applications external to the switch matrix; receiving a new call event notification from a communications link, the new call event notification including service call information related to the service call, the service call information comprising, first port address data defining a first port of the switch matrix that received the service call, and arbitrator address data defining a predetermined address of a call distribution manager; processing the service call information; selecting, in response to the processing, one of the service applications to control processing of the service call; sending at least a portion of the new call event notification to the predetermined address of the call distribution manager, the call distribution manager performing the steps of processing the event notification and selecting one of the service applications; executing the selected service application; generating a first primitive, the primitive including return address data defining a predetermined address of the selected service application; outputting the first primitive to the communications link; receiving an event notification message from the communications link, the event notification message including the return address data; and sending at least a portion of the event notification message to the predetermined address of the selected service application in response to the return address data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising the step of generating and outputting a second primitive to the communications link, the second primitive having data for instructing the switch matrix to connect the first port of the switch matrix to another port of the switch matrix.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus external to a switch matrix, for controlling processing of some service calls received by the switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a first message from a switch matrix, the first message having call information of a service call the switch matrix requests help in handling; means for storing a plurality of service applications; means for executing at least one of the service applications to control processing of the service call by generating a primitive, the primitive including one or more instructions for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and means for outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus external to a switch matrix, for controlling processing of some service calls received by the switch matrix in a telecommunications system, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a first message from a switch matrix, the first message having call information of a service call the switch matrix requests help in handling; means for storing a plurality of service applications; means for executing at least one of the service applications to control processing of the service call by generating a primitive, the primitive including one or more instructions for controlling processing of the service call in the switch matrix; and means for outputting the primitive to the switch matrix.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |