Method and devices related to features or feature agent and method of controlling process flow between features

Central control unit (16) for use in an exchange (12) in a telecommunication network (10) and comprising at least two features (22, 24, 26) as well as a feature agent (20) for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event, wherein the feature agent comprises

• means (30) for receiving an event, which event marks a starting control point of the flow, and
• means (32) for selecting, in at least one encountered control point (ST1, IP1, ST2, IP2, IP3) of the process flow, a feature (22, 24, 26) which is to take over control of the process flow,
• characterized in that the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list (list1, list2, list3, list4) specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points, and
• in that the means for selecting a feature is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Exchange (12) for connection in a telecommunication network (10) and comprising at least two features (22, 24, 26) as well as a feature agent (20) for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event, wherein the feature agent comprises

• means (30) for receiving an event generated in the exchange, which event marks a starting control point of the flow, and
• means (32) for selecting, in at least one encountered control point (ST1, IP1, ST2, IP2, IP3) of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow,
• characterized in that the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list (list1, list2, list3, list4) specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points, and
• in that the means for selecting a feature is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Telecommunication network (10) comprising an exchange (12) that comprises at least two features (22, 24, 26) as well as a feature agent (20) for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event in the exchange (12), wherein the feature agent comprises

• means (30) for receiving an event, which event marks a starting control point of the flow, and
• means (32) for selecting, in at least one encountered control point (ST1, IP1, ST2, IP2, IP3) of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow,
• characterized in that the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list (list1, list2, list3, list4) specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points, and
• in that the means for selecting a feature is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in said medium for causing the assembly of sets of executable computer instructions to provide control of telecommunication services in or for an exchange (12),
• where the exchange comprises or has access to at least two features (22, 24, 26) for performing separate telecommunication services,
• said computer program product comprising:
• means for organizing sets of executable computer instructions into a feature agent (22) for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features (22, 24, 26) subscribing to a certain event generated in the exchange, so that the feature agent comprises:
• means (30) for receiving an event, which event marks a starting control point of the flow, and
• means (32) for selecting, in at least one encountered control point (ST1, IP1, ST2, IP2, IP3) of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow,
• where the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list (list1, list2, list3, list4) specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points, and
• the means for selecting a feature is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Method of controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event and comprising the steps of

• receiving an event, marking a starting control point of the flow, (step 40),
• selecting, in at least one encountered control point (ST1, IP1, ST2, IP2, IP3) of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow, and
• handing over control of the process flow to that feature, (step 46)
• characterized in that the step of selecting includes:
• selecting, from a list (list1, list2, list3, list4) comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, the feature that has the highest priority, so that the process flow can continue in the selected feature.

Feature agent for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event and comprising:

• an event receiver, for receiving an event that marks a starting control point of the flow;
• and
• a selector for selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• wherein the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points;
• and
• the selector is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature so that the process flow can continue in that feature.

Central control unit for use in an exchange in a telecommunication network and comprising at least two features as well as a feature agent for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event, wherein the feature agent comprises:

• an event receiver for receiving an event that marks a starting control point of the flow;
• and
• a selector for selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• wherein the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points;
• and
• the selector is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Exchange for connection in a telecommunication network and comprising at least two features as well as a feature for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event, wherein the feature agent comprises:

• an event receiver for receiving an event generated in the exchange, which event marks a starting control point of the flow;
• and
• a selector for selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• wherein the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points;
• and
• the selector is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Telecommunication network comprising an exchange that comprises at least two features as well as a feature agent for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event in the exchange, wherein the feature agent comprises:

• an event receiver for receiving an event, which event marks a starting control point of the flow;
• and
• a selector for selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• wherein the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points;
• and
• the selector is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in said medium for causing the assembly of sets of executable computer instructions to provide control of telecommunication services in or for an exchange;
• where the exchange comprises or has access to at least two features for performing separate telecommunication services;
• said computer program product comprising:
• an organizer for organizing sets of executable computer instructions into a feature agent for controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event generated in the exchange, so that the feature agent comprises:
• an event receiver for receiving an event, which event marks a starting control point of the flow;
• and a selector for selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• wherein the feature agent
• includes or has access to, for at least one possible control point within the flow, at least one separate list specific for the event and a combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, said list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points;
• and
• the selector is arranged, for said encountered control point, to select the feature which has the highest priority in the corresponding list and hand over control of the process flow to that feature, so that the process flow continues in that feature.

Method of controlling a process flow between and through a number of features subscribing to a certain event and comprising the steps of:

• receiving an event, marking a starting control point of the flow;
• selecting, in at least one encountered control point of the process flow, a feature which is to take over control of the process flow;
• and
• handing over control of the process flow to that feature;
• wherein the step of selecting includes:
• selecting, from a list comprising features of differing priorities subscribing to said event and to the combination of control points including at least the encountered control point, the feature that has the highest priority, so that the process flow can continue in the selected feature.