US 7,127,052 B1 · Implementation of additional functions for user connections having individually configured performance criteria

Abstract

At least one part of at least two user connections (TA1 . . . 6) having configured performance criteria and being allocated to at least two network devices (LE1 . . . 3) is assigned to at least one group (NWHG), to which group-specific performance criteria and/or characteristics (PDN, HUNT) can be allocated. The group (NWHG) is controlled by one of the network devices (LE1), whereby the user connections (TA1, 3, 4, 6) which have not been physically allocated to this network device (LE1) are allocated to said device as virtual user connections.

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Drawings

Claims29

Dependent claims

A communication arrangement for implementing additional functions for subscriber lines which have respectively configured subscriber service features and are physically assigned to interconnected switching devices, comprising:

at least two switching devices having an assignment device for assigning at least some of the subscriber lines to at least one group, wherein one of the switching devices has a control device for controlling group-individual service features and/or group-individual characteristics which can be assigned to the group,
the assignment device is configured such that, in the switching device controlling the group, the subscriber lines not physically assigned to the controlling switching device are assigned to the group as virtual subscriber lines,
the assignment device is configured such that communication relationships from and to the subscriber lines which are not physically assigned to the switching device controlling the group are switched in the telecommunication sense by the switching device controlling the group,
the control device is configured such that, depending on the communication relationships switched via the controlling switching device, corresponding items of state information representing the current switching and/or operational state of the virtual subscriber lines are derived and stored in the switching device controlling the group, and
the group-individual service features and/or characteristics assigned to the virtual subscriber lines are controlled depending on the respectively currently stored state information.

2 more elements

A process for realization of additional functions for subscriber connections, each of which has configured subscriber performance features and which are physically assigned interconnected exchange devices, comprising:

assigning at least a subset of the subscriber connections of at least two exchange devices at least to one group;
assigning to the at least one group, group-individual performance features and/or group-individual characteristics;
controlling the performance features and/or characteristics assigned to the group by one of the exchange devices, and assigning, in the exchange device controlling the group, the subscriber connections of the group which are not physically assigned to the exchange device, as virtual subscriber connections, or administering the exchange devices such that communication connections from and to the subscriber connections which are not physically assigned to the exchange device controlling the group are switched via the exchange device controlling the group;
deriving, in the exchange device controlling the group, as a function of the communications connections switched via the controlling exchange device, status information representing the current status of the virtual subscriber connections and storing it in the exchange device controlling the group;
and
controlling group-individual performance features and/or group-individual characteristics assigned to the subscriber connections as a function of the status information currently stored for each.

3 more elements

A process for realization of functions for subscriber connections, each of which has configured subscriber performance features and which are physically assigned interconnected exchange devices, comprising:

assigning at least a subset of the subscriber connections of at least two exchange devices at least to one group;
assigning the at least one group, group-individual performance features and/or group-individual characteristics;
controlling the performance features and/or characteristics assigned to the group by one of the exchange devices;
assigning, in the exchange device controlling the group, the subscriber connections of the group which are not assigned to this exchange device as virtual subscriber connections, wherein the exchange devices are administered such that the current statuses, from the standpoint of exchange technology and/or operations technology, of the subscriber connections which are not physically assigned to the exchange device controlling the group are transmitted to the exchange device controlling the group, or each change of the statuses of the subscriber connections which are not physically assigned to the exchange device controlling the group are transmitted to the exchange device controlling the group;
deriving and storing, in the exchange device controlling the group, as a function of the transmitted information, corresponding status information representing the current status of the virtual subscriber connections;
and
controlling the group-individual performance features and/or group-individual characteristics assigned to the subscriber connections as a function of the status information currently stored for each.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description9,095 words

Summary2,950 words

#This application is a national stage application of PCT/DE00/04061, filed Nov. 16, 2000, which claims the benefit of priority to German Application Nos. 199 55 761.6, filed Nov. 19, 1999 and 100 25 438.1, filed May 23, 2000.

#The present invention relates to implementation of additional functions for subscriber lines having service features.

#In present-day communication networks, in particular in communication networks configured as a telephone network, it is known not only for private branch exchanges to be connected to public switching devices but also for a number of subscriber lines to be combined to form a “Multi Line Hunting Group”—also referred to hereafter as “MLHG”—replicating the function of a private branch exchange. An MLHG is assigned a group call number or pilot call number—also referred to as “Pilot Directory Number” or “Pilot DN”—shared by all the grouped-together subscriber lines, after the selection of which—for example for setting up a communication relationship with one of the communication terminals assigned to the MLHG—within the group a free subscriber line is found with the aid of a defined search procedure—referred to hereafter as a “Hunting Algorithm”—for setting up the connection.

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#The invention is explained below in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments and several drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a number of interconnected switching devices arranged in a communication network, with a number of physically assigned subscriber lines, which are assigned within the method according to the invention to at least one group, the group being controlled by a control switching device.

#FIG. 2 shows call channeling implemented within the invention for communication relationships originating from subscriber lines via the control switching device.

Detailed description5,902 words

#FIG. 1 shows in a block diagram a number of switching devices LE1 . . . 3 which are arranged in a communication network, and are interconnected or intermeshed via line trunk groups AG and inter-exchange lines TR1 . . . 3. The intermeshed switching devices LE1 . . . 3 are connected via further line trunk group AG to the higher-level communication network KN, formed for example as a telephone network. Arranged in the communication network KN are a number of communication terminals KE1 . . . 6, which are connected via an access line AL in each case and a subscriber line TA1 . . . 6 in each case to the switching devices LE1 . . . 6 represented in FIG. 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the first communication terminal KE1 is configured as an ISDN-conformal communication terminal—for example an ISDN telephone or personal computer with an integrated ISDN card. The first communication terminal KE1 is connected via the first subscriber line TA1, configured as an ISDN basic access, to the second switching device LE2. The first communication terminal KE1 is assigned a first subscriber call number DN1, by which the first communication terminal KE1 is uniquely addressed within the communication network KN. The second communication terminal KE2 is likewise configured as an ISDN-conformal communication terminal and connected via the second subscriber line TA2, configured as an ISDN basic access, to the first switching device LE1. The second communication terminal KE2 is assigned a second subscriber call number DN2. The third communication terminal KE3 is configured as an analog telephone terminal and connected via the analog access line AL and via the analog third subscriber line TA3 to the second switching device LE2. The third communication terminal KE3 is assigned a third subscriber call number DN3. The fourth communication terminal KE4 is configured as a mobile, wireless communication terminal or cell phone and connected via a wireless transmission channel and via a fourth subscriber line TA4, configured as a mobile radio subscriber line, to the third switching device LE3. The fourth communication terminal KE4 is assigned a fourth subscriber call number DN4. The fifth communication terminal KE5 is configured as a digital communication terminal—for example a personal computer—, which is connected via an access line AL, configured as an ADSL line—Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line—and connected via a fifth subscriber line TA5 to the first switching device LE1. The fifth communication terminal KE5 is assigned a fifth subscriber call number DN5. The sixth communication terminal KE6 is configured as an ISDN-conformal communication terminal, which is connected via the sixth subscriber line TA6, configured as an ISDN basic access, to the third switching device LE3.

#The sixth communication terminal KE6 is assigned a sixth subscriber call number DN6. The three switching devices LE1 . . . 3 each have a database DB, in which items of information relating individually to the subscriber lines are respectively stored. Items of information relating individually to the subscriber lines are, for example, the subscriber call numbers DN1 . . . 6 assigned to the respective subscriber lines TA1 . . . 6, information representing the respective configuration or type of subscriber line—for example analog line, ISDN basic access, ISDN primary rate access, ADSL access and mobile-radio-conformal subscriber line—, and information representing the subscriber service features configured individually for the respective subscriber lines TA1 . . . 6.

#For the further exemplary embodiment, it shall be assumed that the communication terminals KE1 . . . 6 connected to the three switching devices LE1 . . . 6 are combined to form a group NWHG, it being intended for group-specific service features to be provided for the communication terminals KE1 . . . 6 assigned to the group NWHG. Examples of the group-specific service features are, for example, the service features provided by private branch exchanges, such as assigning a group-individual pilot call number PDN or “pilot DN” and a search procedure assigned to the group—also referred to as a hunting algorithm—for finding a free subscriber line TA1 . . . 6 within the group NWHG.

Facts

Application

10/130,365Filed 16 Nov 2000

Priority

DE 199 55 76119 Nov 1999

Granted

24 Oct 2006

Term ended

10 Aug 2022

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 632 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification27 codes

H04Q 3/64
Selecting arrangements: distributing or queueing
H04M 3/42314
Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers: in private branch exchanges
H04M 3/46
Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers: arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence…
H04M 3/523
Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing: with call distribution…

Timeline

19 Nov 1999Priority claimedDE 199 55 761
16 Nov 2000Application filedUS 10/130,365
26 Sep 2002Assigned to Siemens Aktiengesellschaftassignment of assignor's interest
24 Oct 2006GrantedUS 7,127,052 B1
22 Feb 2008Assigned to Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KGassignment of assignor's interest
10 Aug 2022Term endedEstimated, includes 632 days of adjustment

Implementation of additional functions for user connections having individually configured performance criteria

Life of this patent

Implementation of additional functions for user connections having individually configured performance criteria

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims29

Description9,095 words

Drawings

Classification27 codes

Life of this patent

Description9,095 words