CA2316315C - A method of and a system for delivering calls to plural service provider domains - Google Patents
A method of and a system for delivering calls to plural service provider domains Download PDFInfo
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- CA2316315C CA2316315C CA002316315A CA2316315A CA2316315C CA 2316315 C CA2316315 C CA 2316315C CA 002316315 A CA002316315 A CA 002316315A CA 2316315 A CA2316315 A CA 2316315A CA 2316315 C CA2316315 C CA 2316315C
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- 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
- H04Q3/005—Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
Abstract
A method of and a system for delivering a call to a called subscriber in a service provider domain of an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system (1) comprising plural service provider domains (10; 20). Each such domain (10; 20) comprises interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) (16; 24) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment (17; 25). For a ported subscriber (21'), porting information is stored (27; 31; 34) associated with routing information to another service provider domain (10) and service information of the ported subscriber (21'), in particular whether the ported subscriber (21') has availed himself of services relating to call delivery. Each time a call is to be delivered to a called ported subscriber (21'), porting information associated with routing and service information is retrieved (27; 31; 34) and the call will be directly delivered to the ported called subscriber (21') at his actual service provider domain (10) identified by the routing information and in accordance with the service profile information of the called subscriber (21').
Description
Title A METHOD OF AND A SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING CALLS TO
PLURAL SERVICE PROVIDER DOMAINS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to Intell igent Network (IN) telecommunication services and, more specifically, to a method of and a system for delivering calls to subscribers in plural service provider domains.
Background of the Invention Modern Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication systems provide several telecommunication and network services. The services available to a subscriber, either for free or on a subscription basis, are contained in so-called user profile information, stored in Service Control Point (SCP) equipment of the telecommunications system.
Due to the deregulation of public telecommunication, present IN telecommunication systems are comprised of plural service provider domains which may operate in different or the same geographical areas. The number, type and charging of services may vary among the service providers.
Number Portability (NP) allows subscribers to change service provider domains without changing their subscriber or telephone number. A call to a ported subscriber will be delivered to the actual location of the ported subscriber despite dialling of the original subscriber number.
In an article by W. Lautenschlager et al., "Routing Service for the Provision of Number Portability", International Switching Symposium (ISS '97), vol. 2, 21-26 September 1997, pages 234-242, Toronto several network methods for the implementation of number portability have been discussed.
Besides the so-called full IN routing, wherein for each call in a network a routing data base or routing service is queried for obtaining necessary routing information, a call to a ported subscriber AMENDED SHEET
la generally will invoke interrogation of the service provider domain at which the called subscriber was originally registered, also called the donor domain. From the routing information obtained, the call will be delivered to the ported subscriber in the actual service provider domain identified by the routing information.
Routing information associated with a ported subscriber may be provided in separate local or global NP data base equipment or in the SCP of the home service provider or donor domain, such as also disclosed i~fi~G~f~Ef~ ~~IEE'~
WO 99/34615 PCT/EP98/085?0 by US Patent 5,598,464. The routing information provided may comprise the (or a reference to the) actual location of the ported subscriber in a particular service provider domain, or a reference to a so-called gateway providing an interface between service provider domains. Gateways are used, for example, if service providers for competitive or other reasons do not wish to directly disclose sensitive domain information to their competitors.
One of the problems associated with NP is the requirement of delivering calls to ported subscribers in accordance with telecommunication and network services available to a ported subscriber in his service provider domain.
British patent application 2,280,334 discloses a method of invoking a telephone user profile in connection with a user initiated routing of a call. User service profile information is stored in all the switches of a telephone network, using an intermediate central computer.
Besides excessive storage space requirements and a strict scheme for updating all the switches in the case of changes in the service profile information of a subscriber, in particular if different service provider domains are involved, service providers may have a genuine requirement based, among others, on providing competitive services, not to disclose information as to service subscriptions etc. Accordingly, in practice, service providers will prefer to store service profile information of their subscribers in the SCP equipment of their own service domain.
In such a case, after a call has been routed to the actual service provider domain of a ported subscriber, a further inquiry of the SCP equipment of this domain has to be initiated to find out whether or not the ported subscriber has availed himself of services, at least services pertinent to the delivery of a call. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a further inquiry increases the delay in the delivery of calls to ported subscribers, compared to non-ported subscribers. However, it is an objective of the telecommunication practice ' to keep call set-up times as small as possible.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method of and a system for delivering calls to ported=
subscri tiers i n accordance wi th servi ces avai 1 abl a to a ported subscri tier.
According to the invention, in a first aspect thereof, there is provided a method of delivering calls to called subscribers in a service provider domain of an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system comprising plural service provider domains, each such domain comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment, the SSP being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, and the SCP being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber in his service provider domain, wherein for ported subscribers routing information is provided and calls to the ported subscribers are delivered in accordance with such routing information, the method comprises the steps of:
- providing porting information, at least for ported subscribers, the porting information being associated with routing i nformati on and i nformati on as to servi ces avai 1 abl a to ported subscri tiers, in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, and - delivering calls to called ported subscribers in accordance with the routing information and the service information provided, wherein - calls to ported subscribers not having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered without inquiring the SCP
equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers, and wherein - cal 1 s to ported subscri tiers havi ng servi ces rel ati ng to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring the SCP equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers in accordance with the service information provided.
In the method according to the invention, for each subscriber porting information is available concerning the actual location of the called subscriber and whether or not interrogation of the SCP of the actual service provider domain is required. The SCP may contain or have access to the porting information.
If the called subscriber is within his home service provi der or donor domai n, the cal 1 wi 11 be del i vered after SCP consul tati on for porting information following established principals of IN by the SSP
AMENDED SHEET
PLURAL SERVICE PROVIDER DOMAINS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to Intell igent Network (IN) telecommunication services and, more specifically, to a method of and a system for delivering calls to subscribers in plural service provider domains.
Background of the Invention Modern Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication systems provide several telecommunication and network services. The services available to a subscriber, either for free or on a subscription basis, are contained in so-called user profile information, stored in Service Control Point (SCP) equipment of the telecommunications system.
Due to the deregulation of public telecommunication, present IN telecommunication systems are comprised of plural service provider domains which may operate in different or the same geographical areas. The number, type and charging of services may vary among the service providers.
Number Portability (NP) allows subscribers to change service provider domains without changing their subscriber or telephone number. A call to a ported subscriber will be delivered to the actual location of the ported subscriber despite dialling of the original subscriber number.
In an article by W. Lautenschlager et al., "Routing Service for the Provision of Number Portability", International Switching Symposium (ISS '97), vol. 2, 21-26 September 1997, pages 234-242, Toronto several network methods for the implementation of number portability have been discussed.
Besides the so-called full IN routing, wherein for each call in a network a routing data base or routing service is queried for obtaining necessary routing information, a call to a ported subscriber AMENDED SHEET
la generally will invoke interrogation of the service provider domain at which the called subscriber was originally registered, also called the donor domain. From the routing information obtained, the call will be delivered to the ported subscriber in the actual service provider domain identified by the routing information.
Routing information associated with a ported subscriber may be provided in separate local or global NP data base equipment or in the SCP of the home service provider or donor domain, such as also disclosed i~fi~G~f~Ef~ ~~IEE'~
WO 99/34615 PCT/EP98/085?0 by US Patent 5,598,464. The routing information provided may comprise the (or a reference to the) actual location of the ported subscriber in a particular service provider domain, or a reference to a so-called gateway providing an interface between service provider domains. Gateways are used, for example, if service providers for competitive or other reasons do not wish to directly disclose sensitive domain information to their competitors.
One of the problems associated with NP is the requirement of delivering calls to ported subscribers in accordance with telecommunication and network services available to a ported subscriber in his service provider domain.
British patent application 2,280,334 discloses a method of invoking a telephone user profile in connection with a user initiated routing of a call. User service profile information is stored in all the switches of a telephone network, using an intermediate central computer.
Besides excessive storage space requirements and a strict scheme for updating all the switches in the case of changes in the service profile information of a subscriber, in particular if different service provider domains are involved, service providers may have a genuine requirement based, among others, on providing competitive services, not to disclose information as to service subscriptions etc. Accordingly, in practice, service providers will prefer to store service profile information of their subscribers in the SCP equipment of their own service domain.
In such a case, after a call has been routed to the actual service provider domain of a ported subscriber, a further inquiry of the SCP equipment of this domain has to be initiated to find out whether or not the ported subscriber has availed himself of services, at least services pertinent to the delivery of a call. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a further inquiry increases the delay in the delivery of calls to ported subscribers, compared to non-ported subscribers. However, it is an objective of the telecommunication practice ' to keep call set-up times as small as possible.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method of and a system for delivering calls to ported=
subscri tiers i n accordance wi th servi ces avai 1 abl a to a ported subscri tier.
According to the invention, in a first aspect thereof, there is provided a method of delivering calls to called subscribers in a service provider domain of an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system comprising plural service provider domains, each such domain comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment, the SSP being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, and the SCP being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber in his service provider domain, wherein for ported subscribers routing information is provided and calls to the ported subscribers are delivered in accordance with such routing information, the method comprises the steps of:
- providing porting information, at least for ported subscribers, the porting information being associated with routing i nformati on and i nformati on as to servi ces avai 1 abl a to ported subscri tiers, in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, and - delivering calls to called ported subscribers in accordance with the routing information and the service information provided, wherein - calls to ported subscribers not having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered without inquiring the SCP
equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers, and wherein - cal 1 s to ported subscri tiers havi ng servi ces rel ati ng to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring the SCP equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers in accordance with the service information provided.
In the method according to the invention, for each subscriber porting information is available concerning the actual location of the called subscriber and whether or not interrogation of the SCP of the actual service provider domain is required. The SCP may contain or have access to the porting information.
If the called subscriber is within his home service provi der or donor domai n, the cal 1 wi 11 be del i vered after SCP consul tati on for porting information following established principals of IN by the SSP
AMENDED SHEET
equipment under the control of the SCP and the telecommunication and network services available to the called subscriber.
However, if the porting information obtained indicates that the called subscriber is ported to a different service provider domain, routing information is retrieved, identifying the ported subscriber ' at the other service provider domain.
Following the method of the invention, the routing information is directly linked to information at least indicating whether the call has to be delivered in accordance with services available to the called subscriber. Thus, information as to the telecommunication and network services of the called subscriber becomes directly available with completion of the routing and the call to the ported subscriber can be delivered in accordance with its respective service profile. This without any separate interrogation step whether or not the called subscriber has availed himself of services pertinent to the delivery of calls. As a minimum, only information has to be disclosed relating to whether a ported subscri ber compri ses servi ces and not the compl ete servi ce prof i 1 a at the other service provider domain.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method according to the invention minimizes signalling overhead. With the method according to the invention, each service providermaintains his own service information. Thus, service providers are principally not forced to update common network data bases or the like which, for setting up a reliable update procedure, essentially requires disclosure of competitive service information. However, common network data bases are still applicable, if desired.
The method according to the invention hardly requires additional resources for storage and update of porting information. The service information part of the porting information, in its simplest form, may comprise a so-called service flag or trigger. Such a service flag or trigger essentially comprises a single data bit or a few data bits, indicating whether and under what conditions services, in particular ' services relating to call delivery, are available to the called ported subscriber. A service flag trigger may also involve the conditional setting ' of a so-called mask bit or mask bits, simply called "mask".
In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the porting information may be retrieved from a dedicated data base operable for storing routing information of ported subscribers.
In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the porting information inclusive routing and service i nformati on, i s retri eyed from the SCP of the home servi ce provi der domai n 5 of the ported subscriber.
In a yet further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the routing information includes information as to whether the subscriber is ported to a different part of his own service provider domain, that is such a part operable for controlling telecommuni cation and network services.
With this feature, it is possible to provide (additional) telecommunication and network services to subscribers not directly available in the part of the service provider domain to which the subscri ber connects . That i s, a subscri ber can be 1 ocal ly ported wi thi n his own home service provider domain for providing (the additional) services. With the method of the invention, calls to a locally ported subscri ber wi 11 be supported by the servi ces avai 1 abl e, wi thout any del ays other than for obtaining the porting information.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the (additional) service profile information may be comprised in the same SCP
of a service provider domain, however at different locations thereof and accessible through a local number portability lookup.
Following the invention, porting information may be retrieved at each call to each subscriber or, selectively, only for calls to actually ported subscribers.
The invention further provides a system for del ivering cal 1 s to cal 1 ed subscri tiers i n a servi ce provider domai n of an Intel l i gent Network (IN) telecommunication system comprising plural service provider domains, each such domain comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment, the SSP being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber through intermediate exchanges or switches, and the SCP being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber in his service provider domain, the system comprises:
- means for storing routing information of a ported subscriber, - means for storing porting information, at least for ported subscribers, the porting information being associated with routing AMENDED SHEET
However, if the porting information obtained indicates that the called subscriber is ported to a different service provider domain, routing information is retrieved, identifying the ported subscriber ' at the other service provider domain.
Following the method of the invention, the routing information is directly linked to information at least indicating whether the call has to be delivered in accordance with services available to the called subscriber. Thus, information as to the telecommunication and network services of the called subscriber becomes directly available with completion of the routing and the call to the ported subscriber can be delivered in accordance with its respective service profile. This without any separate interrogation step whether or not the called subscriber has availed himself of services pertinent to the delivery of calls. As a minimum, only information has to be disclosed relating to whether a ported subscri ber compri ses servi ces and not the compl ete servi ce prof i 1 a at the other service provider domain.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method according to the invention minimizes signalling overhead. With the method according to the invention, each service providermaintains his own service information. Thus, service providers are principally not forced to update common network data bases or the like which, for setting up a reliable update procedure, essentially requires disclosure of competitive service information. However, common network data bases are still applicable, if desired.
The method according to the invention hardly requires additional resources for storage and update of porting information. The service information part of the porting information, in its simplest form, may comprise a so-called service flag or trigger. Such a service flag or trigger essentially comprises a single data bit or a few data bits, indicating whether and under what conditions services, in particular ' services relating to call delivery, are available to the called ported subscriber. A service flag trigger may also involve the conditional setting ' of a so-called mask bit or mask bits, simply called "mask".
In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the porting information may be retrieved from a dedicated data base operable for storing routing information of ported subscribers.
In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the porting information inclusive routing and service i nformati on, i s retri eyed from the SCP of the home servi ce provi der domai n 5 of the ported subscriber.
In a yet further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the routing information includes information as to whether the subscriber is ported to a different part of his own service provider domain, that is such a part operable for controlling telecommuni cation and network services.
With this feature, it is possible to provide (additional) telecommunication and network services to subscribers not directly available in the part of the service provider domain to which the subscri ber connects . That i s, a subscri ber can be 1 ocal ly ported wi thi n his own home service provider domain for providing (the additional) services. With the method of the invention, calls to a locally ported subscri ber wi 11 be supported by the servi ces avai 1 abl e, wi thout any del ays other than for obtaining the porting information.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the (additional) service profile information may be comprised in the same SCP
of a service provider domain, however at different locations thereof and accessible through a local number portability lookup.
Following the invention, porting information may be retrieved at each call to each subscriber or, selectively, only for calls to actually ported subscribers.
The invention further provides a system for del ivering cal 1 s to cal 1 ed subscri tiers i n a servi ce provider domai n of an Intel l i gent Network (IN) telecommunication system comprising plural service provider domains, each such domain comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment, the SSP being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber through intermediate exchanges or switches, and the SCP being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber in his service provider domain, the system comprises:
- means for storing routing information of a ported subscriber, - means for storing porting information, at least for ported subscribers, the porting information being associated with routing AMENDED SHEET
information and information as to services available to ported subscribers, in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, - means for retrieving and evaluating porting ' information, operatively connected such that - calls to ported subscribers not having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered without inquiring the SCP
equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers, and in that - cal 1 s to ported subscri tiers havi ng servi ces rel ati ng to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring the SCP equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers in accordance with the service information provided.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present i nvention wi 11 now be di scussed i n the fol l owi ng descri pti on with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an Intelligent Network(IN) telecommunicationsystem, comprised of twoservice provider domains, incorporating the method according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an SSP
arranged for use in a system according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments Fig. 1 shows a typical Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system 1, comprising a first service provider domain 10 and a second service provider domain 20. For clarification purposes, the IN system 1 is limited to two service provider domains. However, in practice, IN systems may be comprised of a plurality of service provider domains, serving the same or different geographical areas. In the ,y embodiment shown, it is assumed that the service provider domains 10, 20 ' serve separate geographical areas, indicated by a broken border line 2.
A typical IN telecommunication provider domain of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), for example, comprises groups WO 99/34615 PC'f/EP98/08570 of interconnected exchanges or switches. Subscribers 11, 12; 21 connect through a Local Exchange (LE) 13, I4; 22 to at least one Trunk or Transit Exchange (TE) 15; 23, respectively. The service provider domains 10; 20 are connected by a trunk line 3 between their TE 15; 23. The LE 13, 14;
22 and TE 15; 23 respectively, connect through trunk lines 4, while the subscribers 11, 12; 21 connect to their LE 13, 15; 22 by subscriber or drop lines 5.
In the embodiment shown, the TE 15; 23 are of the type comprising Service Switching Point (SSP) equipment 16; 24, controlling the TE in order to establish the required transmission links for placing and receiving calls by the subscribers 11, 12; 21.
Each service provider domain 10; 20 further comprises Subscriber Control Point (SCP) equipment 17; 25. In each service provider domain the SCP connects by a signalling network 18; 26 to the SSP of its service provider domain, respectively. The SCP 17; 25 are operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber 11, 12; 21 in his home service provider domain 10; 20, respectively. Such as indicated in figure 1.
Subscribers may have a desire to change their service provider domain, for example due to differences in services provided by different service providers, for costs reasons etc. Number Portability (NP) allows subscribers to change service provider domains without changing their original subscriber number.
In order to deliver a call to a called ported subscriber, routing information has to be obtained. The routing information may be stored in separate local data base means at the donor or home service provider domain of the ported subscriber, such as a data base 30;
31 which connects by a signalling link 32; 33 to the LE 13; 22, respectively. Alternatively, the routing informaton may be stored in global data base means 34, connecting by signalling links 28; 29 to the SCP 17;
25 and the SSP 16; 24, respectively. Further, routing information may be stored in storage means 19; 27 of the SCP 17; 25, for example. In order to indicate their optional nature, the respective storage means and signalling links are shown by broken lines.
Following the invention, the routing information of subscribers 11, 12; 21 of a service provider domain is enhanced with information concerning services of a subscriber. In particular services relating to the delivery of calls to a ported subscriber. Essentially, this service information may be limited to a simple trigger or flag if the subscriber is parted to a different service provider domain. In the SCP 17; 25 of the service provider domain 10; 20 in which the ported subscriber is actually located, this service information triggers service profile information of the ported subscriber 11, 12; 21.
For the purpose of explaining the method according to the invention, it is now assumed that subscriber 21 is ported from his home service provider or donor domain 20 to service provider domain 10, connecting to LE 14 as indicated by broken lines and reference numeral 21'. Further, it is assumed that in his new service provider domain 10 several telecommunication and network services are available to the subscriber 21', such as call waiting, dual call switching etc.
Suppose subscriber 11 at the service provider domain 10, i.e. the originating domain, is calling subscriber 21, using the original subscriber or telephone number at LE 22. The call will be set up through LE 13, TE 15 and TE 23 via the intermediate network lines 3, 4 and 5.
Following the invention, the call to subscriber 21 results in porting information indicating that subscriber 21 has been ported and the availability of services for user 21. This porting information may be retrieved either from the data base means 31, the data base means 34 or the storage means 27 of the service provider domain 20.
However, instead of setting up a call to the donor domain 20 of the user 21 for retrieving porting information, this porting information may be directly retrieved from the porting data base means.
From the porting information, indicating that subscriber 21 has been ported, routing information is obtained, either directly providing the actual, physical location of the subscriber, or a reference to a so-called gateway 36 linking the TE 15; 23, if a complete separation of service network provider domains 10; 20 is required. The gateway 36 provides an interface between the service provider domains 10; 20. At the gateway 36 routing information to the actual location of the ported subscriber 21' is available. The service information part of the porting i nformati on may be added to the routi ng i nformati on provi ded at the gateway 21. Due to its optional nature, the gateway 31 is shown in broken lines.
;;~,~ENDED SHEET
WO 99/34615 PC'f/EP98/08570 The routing information together with the service information of subscriber 21 will be transferred to TE 15 and SSP 16 of the service provider domain 10. From analysing the routing information, it will become clear that subscriber 21 is (temporarily) located at LE
14, such that at TE 15 the cal 1 of the cal 1 i ng subscri ber 11 wi 11 be routed by SSP 16 to the cal 1 ed subscri ber 21' under the control of the appl i cabl a services. By analysing the service information of the received porting i nformati on, i t wi 11 become cl ear whether the ported subscri ber has avai l ed himself of services, at least relating to call delivery. In the affirmative the applicable service profile information in the SCP 17 will be interrogated via the signalling link 18, in order to control TE 15 and LE 14 for providing the required services.
If the porting information contains such service information indicating that the ported subscriber has no services relating to call delivery, the SCP 17 will not be interrogated.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, after the routing information has been analysed and the called ported subscriber has been located, with the method of the invention no separate inquiry has to be performed in the actual service provider domain 10 whether the call has to be delivered following special services. This inquiry step is already implicitly performed by the provision of the service information flag or trigger in the porting information, provided to the actual service provider domain of the ported subscriber. A service flag trigger may also involve the conditional setting of a so-called mask bit or mask bits, simply called "mask".
With the above method according to the invention, no competitive information as to the service provisions of a service provider has to be stored in a common system data base or data bases local to other service providers, and no common update procedures are required. Due to the linking of the routing information and the service information signalling overhead is minimised. Thereby easily meeting the requirements relating to set-up times of a call to a ported subscriber in accordance with services available to the ported subscriber in his service provider domain.
In the above example, it has been assumed that a subscriber is ported from one service provider domain to another. However, it is also feasible that services have to be provided to a subscriber, which services may be located at a different part of his service provider=
domain. Local number portability can be applied, such that the subscriber is locally ported to such part of the service provider domain where the services are available. The provision, by the invention, of routing and 5 service information will result in a quick delivery of the call to the locally ported subscriber. It is noted that local number portability can apply within the same SCP, for example comprised of parts providing different types of services.
Instead of porting information in the form of a simple 10 trigger, as disclosed above, with the method according to. the invention the porting information may also comprise more extensive service information or a "mask" operation.
In the method accordi ng to the inventi on, the avai 1 abl a signalling possibilities can be used for delivering a call in accordance with the service profile information of a called ported subscriber.
Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an SSP
40 for use in the IN system 1 of the invention.
In addition to the known functionality of an SSP, generally designated by block 41, the SSP 40 shown comprises means 42 for retrieving porting information of a called subscriber; means 43 for evaluating the porting information, for delivering the call to a called ported subscriber at his ported network position; and means 44 for communicating the routing information and service information to the SSP
of the actual service provider domain of the called ported subscriber or the gateway 36. Those skilled in to art will appreciate that the means 42-44 identified above, can be implemented by one or both additional hardware and software means in an SSP.
The invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiment of the system and SSP shown and described above. Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims, several modifications and additions can be provided, such as retrieving the porting information of an SCP from an LE, as disclosed in fig. 1 by the signal links 35 between the LE 13; 22 and the SCP 17; 25, for example. Porting information may be retrieved for each call to each subscriber or only for calls to actually ported subscribers, such as known at the LE 13; 22, for example.
AMENDED SHEET
equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers, and in that - cal 1 s to ported subscri tiers havi ng servi ces rel ati ng to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring the SCP equipment of the service provider domain of the ported subscribers in accordance with the service information provided.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present i nvention wi 11 now be di scussed i n the fol l owi ng descri pti on with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an Intelligent Network(IN) telecommunicationsystem, comprised of twoservice provider domains, incorporating the method according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an SSP
arranged for use in a system according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments Fig. 1 shows a typical Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system 1, comprising a first service provider domain 10 and a second service provider domain 20. For clarification purposes, the IN system 1 is limited to two service provider domains. However, in practice, IN systems may be comprised of a plurality of service provider domains, serving the same or different geographical areas. In the ,y embodiment shown, it is assumed that the service provider domains 10, 20 ' serve separate geographical areas, indicated by a broken border line 2.
A typical IN telecommunication provider domain of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), for example, comprises groups WO 99/34615 PC'f/EP98/08570 of interconnected exchanges or switches. Subscribers 11, 12; 21 connect through a Local Exchange (LE) 13, I4; 22 to at least one Trunk or Transit Exchange (TE) 15; 23, respectively. The service provider domains 10; 20 are connected by a trunk line 3 between their TE 15; 23. The LE 13, 14;
22 and TE 15; 23 respectively, connect through trunk lines 4, while the subscribers 11, 12; 21 connect to their LE 13, 15; 22 by subscriber or drop lines 5.
In the embodiment shown, the TE 15; 23 are of the type comprising Service Switching Point (SSP) equipment 16; 24, controlling the TE in order to establish the required transmission links for placing and receiving calls by the subscribers 11, 12; 21.
Each service provider domain 10; 20 further comprises Subscriber Control Point (SCP) equipment 17; 25. In each service provider domain the SCP connects by a signalling network 18; 26 to the SSP of its service provider domain, respectively. The SCP 17; 25 are operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber 11, 12; 21 in his home service provider domain 10; 20, respectively. Such as indicated in figure 1.
Subscribers may have a desire to change their service provider domain, for example due to differences in services provided by different service providers, for costs reasons etc. Number Portability (NP) allows subscribers to change service provider domains without changing their original subscriber number.
In order to deliver a call to a called ported subscriber, routing information has to be obtained. The routing information may be stored in separate local data base means at the donor or home service provider domain of the ported subscriber, such as a data base 30;
31 which connects by a signalling link 32; 33 to the LE 13; 22, respectively. Alternatively, the routing informaton may be stored in global data base means 34, connecting by signalling links 28; 29 to the SCP 17;
25 and the SSP 16; 24, respectively. Further, routing information may be stored in storage means 19; 27 of the SCP 17; 25, for example. In order to indicate their optional nature, the respective storage means and signalling links are shown by broken lines.
Following the invention, the routing information of subscribers 11, 12; 21 of a service provider domain is enhanced with information concerning services of a subscriber. In particular services relating to the delivery of calls to a ported subscriber. Essentially, this service information may be limited to a simple trigger or flag if the subscriber is parted to a different service provider domain. In the SCP 17; 25 of the service provider domain 10; 20 in which the ported subscriber is actually located, this service information triggers service profile information of the ported subscriber 11, 12; 21.
For the purpose of explaining the method according to the invention, it is now assumed that subscriber 21 is ported from his home service provider or donor domain 20 to service provider domain 10, connecting to LE 14 as indicated by broken lines and reference numeral 21'. Further, it is assumed that in his new service provider domain 10 several telecommunication and network services are available to the subscriber 21', such as call waiting, dual call switching etc.
Suppose subscriber 11 at the service provider domain 10, i.e. the originating domain, is calling subscriber 21, using the original subscriber or telephone number at LE 22. The call will be set up through LE 13, TE 15 and TE 23 via the intermediate network lines 3, 4 and 5.
Following the invention, the call to subscriber 21 results in porting information indicating that subscriber 21 has been ported and the availability of services for user 21. This porting information may be retrieved either from the data base means 31, the data base means 34 or the storage means 27 of the service provider domain 20.
However, instead of setting up a call to the donor domain 20 of the user 21 for retrieving porting information, this porting information may be directly retrieved from the porting data base means.
From the porting information, indicating that subscriber 21 has been ported, routing information is obtained, either directly providing the actual, physical location of the subscriber, or a reference to a so-called gateway 36 linking the TE 15; 23, if a complete separation of service network provider domains 10; 20 is required. The gateway 36 provides an interface between the service provider domains 10; 20. At the gateway 36 routing information to the actual location of the ported subscriber 21' is available. The service information part of the porting i nformati on may be added to the routi ng i nformati on provi ded at the gateway 21. Due to its optional nature, the gateway 31 is shown in broken lines.
;;~,~ENDED SHEET
WO 99/34615 PC'f/EP98/08570 The routing information together with the service information of subscriber 21 will be transferred to TE 15 and SSP 16 of the service provider domain 10. From analysing the routing information, it will become clear that subscriber 21 is (temporarily) located at LE
14, such that at TE 15 the cal 1 of the cal 1 i ng subscri ber 11 wi 11 be routed by SSP 16 to the cal 1 ed subscri ber 21' under the control of the appl i cabl a services. By analysing the service information of the received porting i nformati on, i t wi 11 become cl ear whether the ported subscri ber has avai l ed himself of services, at least relating to call delivery. In the affirmative the applicable service profile information in the SCP 17 will be interrogated via the signalling link 18, in order to control TE 15 and LE 14 for providing the required services.
If the porting information contains such service information indicating that the ported subscriber has no services relating to call delivery, the SCP 17 will not be interrogated.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, after the routing information has been analysed and the called ported subscriber has been located, with the method of the invention no separate inquiry has to be performed in the actual service provider domain 10 whether the call has to be delivered following special services. This inquiry step is already implicitly performed by the provision of the service information flag or trigger in the porting information, provided to the actual service provider domain of the ported subscriber. A service flag trigger may also involve the conditional setting of a so-called mask bit or mask bits, simply called "mask".
With the above method according to the invention, no competitive information as to the service provisions of a service provider has to be stored in a common system data base or data bases local to other service providers, and no common update procedures are required. Due to the linking of the routing information and the service information signalling overhead is minimised. Thereby easily meeting the requirements relating to set-up times of a call to a ported subscriber in accordance with services available to the ported subscriber in his service provider domain.
In the above example, it has been assumed that a subscriber is ported from one service provider domain to another. However, it is also feasible that services have to be provided to a subscriber, which services may be located at a different part of his service provider=
domain. Local number portability can be applied, such that the subscriber is locally ported to such part of the service provider domain where the services are available. The provision, by the invention, of routing and 5 service information will result in a quick delivery of the call to the locally ported subscriber. It is noted that local number portability can apply within the same SCP, for example comprised of parts providing different types of services.
Instead of porting information in the form of a simple 10 trigger, as disclosed above, with the method according to. the invention the porting information may also comprise more extensive service information or a "mask" operation.
In the method accordi ng to the inventi on, the avai 1 abl a signalling possibilities can be used for delivering a call in accordance with the service profile information of a called ported subscriber.
Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an SSP
40 for use in the IN system 1 of the invention.
In addition to the known functionality of an SSP, generally designated by block 41, the SSP 40 shown comprises means 42 for retrieving porting information of a called subscriber; means 43 for evaluating the porting information, for delivering the call to a called ported subscriber at his ported network position; and means 44 for communicating the routing information and service information to the SSP
of the actual service provider domain of the called ported subscriber or the gateway 36. Those skilled in to art will appreciate that the means 42-44 identified above, can be implemented by one or both additional hardware and software means in an SSP.
The invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiment of the system and SSP shown and described above. Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims, several modifications and additions can be provided, such as retrieving the porting information of an SCP from an LE, as disclosed in fig. 1 by the signal links 35 between the LE 13; 22 and the SCP 17; 25, for example. Porting information may be retrieved for each call to each subscriber or only for calls to actually ported subscribers, such as known at the LE 13; 22, for example.
AMENDED SHEET
Claims (12)
1. A method of delivering calls to called subscribers in a service provider domain (10; 20) of an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system (1) comprising plural service provider domains (10; 20), each such domain (10; 20) comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) (16; 24) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment (17; 25), said SSP (16; 24) being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber (11, 12; 21) to a called subscriber (11, 12; 21), and said SCP (17; 25) being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to a subscriber (11, 12; 21) in his service provider domain (10; 20), wherein for ported subscribers (21') routing information is provided (19, 30; 27, 31; 34; 36) and calls to said ported subscribers (21') are delivered in accordance with said routing information, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing porting information (27, 31, 34; 36), at least for ported subscribers (21'), said porting information being associated with routing information and information as to services available to ported subscribers (21'), in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, and - delivering calls to called ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said routing information and said service information provided (27, 31, 34; 36), wherein - calls to ported subscribers (21') not having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered without inquiring said SCP equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21'), and wherein - calls to ported subscribers (21') having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring said SCP
equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said service information.
- providing porting information (27, 31, 34; 36), at least for ported subscribers (21'), said porting information being associated with routing information and information as to services available to ported subscribers (21'), in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, and - delivering calls to called ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said routing information and said service information provided (27, 31, 34; 36), wherein - calls to ported subscribers (21') not having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered without inquiring said SCP equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21'), and wherein - calls to ported subscribers (21') having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring said SCP
equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said service information.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said service information of said porting information comprises a flag or trigger indicating whether services are available to said ported subscriber (21').
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said porting information is retrieved from a data base (31, 34; 36) operable for storing routing information of a ported subscriber (21').
4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said porting information is retrieved from the home service provider domain (20) of said ported subscriber (21').
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said porting information is available from said SCP (25) of said home service provider domain (20) of said ported subscriber (21').
6. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein said porting information includes information as to whether said ported subscriber (21') is ported to a different part of his home service provider domain (20).
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said different part of said home service provider domain (20) is comprised in said SCP (25) of said home service provider domain of said subscriber (21).
8. A system for delivering calls to called subscribers (11, 12; 21) in a service provider domain (10; 20) of an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunication system (1) comprising plural service provider domains (10; 20), each such domain (10; 20) comprising interconnected Service Switching Point (SSP) (16; 24) and Service Control Point (SCP) equipment (17; 25), said SSP (16; 24) being operable for delivering a call from a calling subscriber (11, 12; 21) to a called subscriber (11, 12;
21) through intermediate exchanges or switches (13, 14, 15; 22, 23), and said SCP (17;
25) being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to subscriber (11, 12;21) in his service provider domain (10; 20), said system comprising:
- means (19, 30; 27, 31; 34; 36) for storing routing information of a ported subscriber (21'), - means (27, 31, 34; 36) for storing porting information, at least for ported subscribers (21'), said porting information being associated with routing information and information as to service available to ported subscribers (21'), in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, - means (42, 43) for retrieving and evaluating porting information, operatively connected such that - tails to ported subscribers (21') not having services relating to the delivery of calls axe delivered without inquiring said SCP equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21'), and in that - calls to ported subscribers (21') having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring said SCP
equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said service information.
21) through intermediate exchanges or switches (13, 14, 15; 22, 23), and said SCP (17;
25) being operable for controlling telecommunication and network services available to subscriber (11, 12;21) in his service provider domain (10; 20), said system comprising:
- means (19, 30; 27, 31; 34; 36) for storing routing information of a ported subscriber (21'), - means (27, 31, 34; 36) for storing porting information, at least for ported subscribers (21'), said porting information being associated with routing information and information as to service available to ported subscribers (21'), in particular services relating to the delivery of calls, - means (42, 43) for retrieving and evaluating porting information, operatively connected such that - tails to ported subscribers (21') not having services relating to the delivery of calls axe delivered without inquiring said SCP equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21'), and in that - calls to ported subscribers (21') having services relating to the delivery of calls are delivered by inquiring said SCP
equipment (17) of said service provider domain (10) of said ported subscribers (21') in accordance with said service information.
9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said means for storing porting information are comprised by data base means (31, 34; 36) operable for storing routing information of a ported subscriber (21').
10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said means (27) for storing porting information inclusive said routing and said service information are comprised by said SCP (25) of said home service provider domain of a ported subscriber (21').
11. A system according to claim 8, 9 or 10, comprising means for transmitting said service information of said porting information of said called ported subscriber (21') to said SCP (17) of said service provider domain (10) identified by said routing information, said SCP (17) being arranged for delivering said call in accordance with said service information of said called ported subscriber (21').
12. A system according to claim 10, wherein said SCP (25) is arranged for storing of each subscriber (21) information pertaining as to whether said subscriber (21) is ported to part of his home service provider (20) domain operable for controlling telecommunication and network services.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP97204100A EP0926906A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | A method of and a system for delivering calls to plural service provider domains |
| EP97204100.8 | 1997-12-24 | ||
| PCT/EP1998/008570 WO1999034615A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-21 | A method of and a system for delivering calls to plural service provider domains |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2316315A1 CA2316315A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| CA2316315C true CA2316315C (en) | 2006-02-21 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| CA002316315A Expired - Lifetime CA2316315C (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-21 | A method of and a system for delivering calls to plural service provider domains |
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| US (1) | US6694006B1 (en) |
| EP (2) | EP0926906A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP4094813B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1123235C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE300836T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU758210B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9814412A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2316315C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69831012T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999034615A1 (en) |
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| JP2003508955A (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2003-03-04 | サイエンス アプリケーションズ インターナショナル コーポレイション | System and method for interconnecting multiple virtual private networks |
| US6622016B1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2003-09-16 | Sprint Spectrum L.P. | System for controlled provisioning of telecommunications services |
| US7072653B1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2006-07-04 | Sprint Specrtrum L.P. | System for controlled provisioning of telecommunications services |
| DE19954566A1 (en) * | 1999-11-12 | 2001-05-31 | Siemens Ag | Method and arrangement for the transmission of service-relevant information between several connection controllers |
| US7724878B2 (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2010-05-25 | Timmins Timothy A | Technique for assisting a user with information services at an information/call center |
| US7206611B2 (en) * | 2005-04-13 | 2007-04-17 | Cingular Wireless Ii, Llc | Method for displaying special alerting icon |
| US20070189484A1 (en) * | 2006-01-30 | 2007-08-16 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | System and method for enabling external service logic for calls involving number portability LRNs |
| US8918076B2 (en) * | 2008-10-13 | 2014-12-23 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Regional zone based mobile charging |
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| CA2100699C (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 1997-07-08 | Deborah L. Pinard | Portable telephone user profiles using central computer |
| US5598464A (en) * | 1995-06-20 | 1997-01-28 | Dsc Communications Comporation | Method and apparatus for providing local number portability |
| US6002757A (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 1999-12-14 | Stentor Resource Centre, Inc. | Number portability using enhanced routing table |
| US5839072A (en) * | 1996-03-26 | 1998-11-17 | Ericsson Inc. | Routing an incoming call to a ported mobile station within a telecommunications network |
| US5854836A (en) * | 1996-10-25 | 1998-12-29 | Bellsouth Corporation | Method and system for utilizing an information delivery service in a local number portability environment |
| US6122362A (en) | 1996-12-24 | 2000-09-19 | Evolving Systems, Inc. | Systems and method for providing network element management functionality for managing and provisioning network elements associated with number portability |
| US6130940A (en) * | 1997-09-12 | 2000-10-10 | Ericsson Inc. | Local number portability intelligent signaling transfer point |
| US6108332A (en) * | 1997-09-12 | 2000-08-22 | Ericsson Inc. | Local number portability for interexchange carriers |
-
1997
- 1997-12-24 EP EP97204100A patent/EP0926906A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1998
- 1998-12-21 CA CA002316315A patent/CA2316315C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 AT AT98966430T patent/ATE300836T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-21 BR BR9814412-0A patent/BR9814412A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-21 US US09/582,289 patent/US6694006B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 CN CN98812588A patent/CN1123235C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 WO PCT/EP1998/008570 patent/WO1999034615A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-12-21 EP EP98966430A patent/EP1042925B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 DE DE69831012T patent/DE69831012T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 JP JP2000527100A patent/JP4094813B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-21 AU AU22777/99A patent/AU758210B2/en not_active Expired
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| EP1042925B1 (en) | 2005-07-27 |
| AU2277799A (en) | 1999-07-19 |
| JP2002500486A (en) | 2002-01-08 |
| CN1283370A (en) | 2001-02-07 |
| BR9814412A (en) | 2001-10-23 |
| EP0926906A1 (en) | 1999-06-30 |
| AU758210B2 (en) | 2003-03-20 |
| CA2316315A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| ATE300836T1 (en) | 2005-08-15 |
| WO1999034615A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| DE69831012T2 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
| JP4094813B2 (en) | 2008-06-04 |
| DE69831012D1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
| US6694006B1 (en) | 2004-02-17 |
| CN1123235C (en) | 2003-10-01 |
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