US 6,650,632 B1 · Feature transparency in a telecommunications network

Abstract

An auxiliary communication network is introduced into a virtual private network for passing signaling messages that present features not supported by the public, primary communication network portion of the virtual private network. Protocol converters are positioned within the virtual private network to intercept signaling messages, establish a connection through the auxiliary network, determine whether the intercepted messages present unsupported features, and, in which case, route corresponding feature requested through the auxiliary communication network. Preferably, the auxiliary network connection is established in a direction reverse to and in response to the primary network connection.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A custom call feature transmission apparatus for use with a first private network that is connected to a second private network by a communication network employing a protocol incapable of supporting at least one custom calling feature supported by the first private network and the second private network, the apparatus comprising:

a first communications interface coupled between the first private network and the communication network so as to communicate information therebetween;
a second communications interface coupled between the first private network and an auxiliary network so as to communicate messages in the protocol that use the at least one custom calling feature that is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound;
a processor coupled to the first communications interface and the second communications interface;
and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising one or more instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
intercepting a message directed from the first private network to the second private network;
determining whether the message uses the at least one custom calling feature;
establishing a first connection through the communication network to the second private network;
in response to determining that the message uses the at least one custom calling feature, transmitting a request for the at least one custom calling feature to the second private network;
and
accepting an establishment of a second connection through the auxiliary network from said second private network in response to the message from the first private network.

8 more elements

A telecommunications network comprising:

a first private network capable of supporting a custom calling feature that is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound;
a first protocol converter coupled to said first private network;
a first communication network coupled to said first protocol converter and employing a protocol incapable of supporting said custom calling feature;
a second protocol converter coupled to said first communication network;
a second private network capable of supporting said custom calling feature coupled to said second protocol converter;
and
a second communication network coupled to said first protocol converter and said second protocol converter for supporting said custom calling feature;
wherein said first protocol converter is configured to
(a) receive a signaling message from said first private network;
(b) determine whether said signaling message includes a custom calling feature request not supported by the protocol of said first communication network, wherein the custom calling feature is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound;
and
(c) if said signaling message includes a calling feature request not supported by the protocol of said first communication network, then transmit said custom calling feature request to said second private network through said second communication network.

9 more elements

In a virtual private network including a first private network and a second private network connected by a first communication network employing a protocol incapable of supporting at least one custom calling feature supported by said first private network and said second private network, a method of transmitting a signaling message, requesting said at least one custom calling feature that is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound, from said first private network to said second private network, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first connection through said first communication network between said first private network and said second private network;
in response to establishing said first connection, establishing a second connection between said first private network and said second private network through a second communication network;
and
transmitting said custom calling feature, which is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound, between said first private network and said second private network through said second communication network.

1 more element

A telecommunications device for supporting calling feature transparency in a virtual private network including a first private network and a second private network connected by a first communication network employing a protocol incapable of supporting at least one custom calling feature supported by said first private network and said second private network, said telecommunications device comprising:

a computer system including a plurality of input/output cards;
and
a channel multiplexer coupled to said plurality of input/output cards, said first private network, said first communication network, and to a second communication network, wherein said second communication network is further coupled to said second private network;
wherein said computer system is configured to perform the steps of:
intercepting a signaling message for said second private network from the first private network;
determining whether said signaling message includes a custom calling feature request not supported by the protocol of said first communication network, wherein the custom calling feature is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound;
and
if said signaling message includes said custom calling feature request, then transmitting said custom calling feature request to said second private network.

5 more elements

A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for supporting calling feature transparency in a virtual private network including a first private network and a second private network connected by a first communication network employing a protocol incapable of supporting at least one custom calling feature supported by said first private network and said second private network, said instructions arranged, when executed, to cause a telecommunications device, including a computer system coupled to said first private network, said first communication network, and further coupled to a second communication network, to perform the steps of:

intercepting a signaling message for said second private network from the first private network;
accepting an establishment of a first connection through said first communication network from said second private network;
in response to said accepting an establishment of a first connection, establishing a second connection through said second communication network to said second private network;
determining whether said signaling message includes a custom calling feature request not supported by the protocol of said first communication network, wherein
the custom calling feature is a special service function of a telephone service that is additional to basic transmission of sound;
if said signaling message includes said custom calling feature request, then transmitting said custom calling feature request to said second private network through the second communication network.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Feature transparency in a telecommunications network

Life of this patent

Feature transparency in a telecommunications network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20