WO1996035296A1

WO1996035296A1 - Connection establishing process and server, and associated communication network

Info

Publication number: WO1996035296A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/001763
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Stahl; Wolfgang Lautenschlager
Original assignee: Alcatel N.V.
Priority date: 1995-04-29
Filing date: 1996-04-26
Publication date: 1996-11-07
Also published as: DE19515856A1; AU5811896A

Abstract

A process and server (SCP1, SCP2) are disclosed for establishing a connection between a calling subscriber (A) and a called subscriber (B, C), as well as a communication network (KN1, KN2). A connection request from the terminal (E1) of the calling subscriber (A) is transmitted to one among several specially designed switching centres (SSP11, SSP12). Personal data (S1) about the called subscriber (B, C), in particular the name of the called subscriber (B, C), are transmitted by the calling subscriber (A) to the switching centre (SSP11) over a connection between the terminal and the switching centre. The switching centre (SSP11) retransmits the received personal data (S1) over a data transmission line to a central server (SCP1, SCP2) common to all special switching centres (SSP11, SSP12). The central server (SCP1, SCP2) consults a data bank (DAT1, DAT2), locates the called subscriber (B, C) by means of the personal data and determines the call number (NB, NC, S2) associated to the called subscriber (B, C). The central server finally retransmits the connection request from the switching centre (SSP11) to said call number (NB, NC, S2).

Description

Connection establishment procedure as well as service computer for it and communication network with it

The invention relates to a method for establishing a connection from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, and to a service computer and a communication network.

To initiate the establishment of a connection to a called subscriber, a calling subscriber normally dials the number assigned to the calling subscriber. This number is included in the connection request and is used by the switching centers to locate the called subscriber.

It is also possible to establish a connection using an IN service (IN = Intelligent Network) that converts phone numbers. Such a service, which implements the UPT concept (UPT = Universal Personal Telecommunication), is described in the article "Freedom of movement in all networks" by Gerhard Arndt et al, telecom report 16, 1993, pp. 67-69. Access to this service is via a variety of service switching points that communicate with a central control logic, the service control point. Each subscriber is assigned a personal number that no longer describes the subscriber connection but the subscriber as such.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS This personal number is transported in the connection request like a "normal" number and is routed to the next service switching point. There, the personal number in the connection request is converted into a "normal" number using the service control point and then forwarded.

For both types of connection, the calling subscriber has the problem that the "normal" or personal number assigned to the subscriber to be called must be known to him. Otherwise, he has to determine it by additional costly and time-consuming effort.

For this purpose, he can, for example, determine the phone number using an automatic information system, as described in German patent application DE 3532907. In this system, the subscriber sends the name of the subscriber to be called in a built-up user channel, coded in multi-frequency dialing tones, to the output device, which then communicates the call number of the subscriber to be called by voice output.

A further developed information system is described in W089 / 00793. This telephone number information system consists of a specially designed switching center which is connected to a database to which an operator has access in addition to the switching center. All connection requests of the communication network that request a caller ID information are routed to this special switching device. If such a connection request is recognized by the switching center, a voice channel is set up between the requesting calling subscriber and the switching center, the name of the subscriber to be called is recognized by the switching center by means of a voice recognition device and then the calling number is recognized to the calling subscriber by means of a voice announcement device shared. At a control command from On the part of the calling subscriber, the switching center then initiates the forwarding of the connection to the call number determined by it.

However, these systems only provide usable solutions within a limited local framework, which in particular are not suitable for determining telephone numbers across network boundaries.

The problem of determining the number of a subscriber will be further exacerbated, since the effort required for this, in particular due to the increasing number of private networks to be foreseen, will increase considerably in the future.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a globally usable connection establishment method with which the establishment of a connection to a subscriber with an unknown call number is possible.

This object is achieved by a connection establishment method according to the preamble of claim 1, by a service computer according to the preamble of claim 9 and by a communication network according to the preamble of claim 10.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide a plurality of specially designed switching centers which send user data transported to them via user connections via a subscriber, for example their name or address, via a data connection to a central service computer which locates the subscriber by means of a database and one of them assigned number determined. This call number is the call number of the subscriber line of the called subscriber or a service identifier of another service computer.

This has the advantage that this service can be used by a large number of subscribers with a favorable traffic load underlying communication network is usable. There are further advantages in the use and maintenance of the central service computer and the database. This concept also makes it possible to determine a subscriber's number globally.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

The advantage here is in particular that subscribers can also be localized across the boundaries of a large number of networks by means of the invention. This advantage will become increasingly important due to the growing number of private networks and the growing number of network operators.

Further advantages result from equipping the connection establishment method according to the invention with UPT features (UPT = Universal Personal Telecommunication). This has the advantage that the call is automatically forwarded to the subscriber by the service to a phone number under which the subscriber can currently be reached.

The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a symbolic representation of a communication arrangement consisting of two communication networks according to the invention.

FIG. 2a shows a symbolic representation of the communication relationships for a first connection setup variant for the communication arrangement according to FIG. 1. Fig. 2b shows a symbolic representation of the

Communication relationships for a second connection setup variant for the communication arrangement according to FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of an inventive

Service computer for the communication arrangement according to FIG. 1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the application of the connection establishment method according to the invention is shown in a communication arrangement which consists of two communication networks according to the invention, each of which is provided with a service computer according to the invention, which has a connection to a database.

This communication arrangement is chosen as an example. It is also possible to carry out the invention in a communication arrangement which consists only of a single communication network according to the invention or of any number of interconnected communication networks according to the invention or in some cases also not according to the invention.

1 shows two communication networks KN1 and KN2, three terminals E1 to E3, three subscribers A, B and C, two service computers SCP1 and SCP2, two databases DAT1 and DAT2, three switching centers SSP11 to SSP21 and two gateways GATE1 and GATE2.

The communication network KN1 is connected to the terminals E1 and E2 and via the gateways GATE1 and GATE2 to the communication network KN2, which in turn is connected to the terminal E3. The exchanges SSP11 and SSP12 are connected to the service computer SCP1, which in turn is connected to the database DAT1. The exchange SSP21 is connected to the service computer SCP2, which in turn is connected to the database DAT2. The terminals E1 to E3 are operated by participants A, B and C, respectively. The terminals E1 to E3 are each terminals for telecommunications networks, such as a telephone, a fax or a correspondingly designed computer.

The network KN1 is a public communication network which contains a large number of interconnected switching centers. Two of these exchanges, the exchanges SSP11 and SSP12, perform other functions. They serve as service switching points for a service that is provided by them and the service computer SCP1. As such, the switching centers SSP1 and SSP2 transmit inquiries to the service computer SCP1 when a certain withdrawal number occurs and in response receive control information relating to the further processing of the call. This retirement number is referred to below as the service identifier.

It is also possible for a different number of switching centers, such as switching centers SSP1 and SSP2, to be designed and connected to the service computer SCP1.

The communication network KN2 represents a private telecommunications network, for example the network of a company or an authority, the network of a private network operator or also a mobile radio network. Like the communication network KN1, it consists of a number of switching centers meshed with one another. The switching center SSP21, the service computer SCP2 and the database DAT2 perform the same functions for the communication network KN2 as the switching centers SSP12 and SSPll, the service computer SCP1 and the database DAT1 for the communication network KN1 and are therefore not described in detail below.

It is possible that the communication network KN2 is a virtual network that consists of several connections of the Communication network KN1 interconnected sub-networks.

It is also possible that the communication network KN2 contains only a single exchange, the exchange SSP21. The network KN2 would be, for example, a private branch exchange with the switching center SSP21 as a private branch exchange.

The service computer SCP1 consists of a computer with corresponding peripheral components which enable it to communicate with the exchanges SSP12 and SSPll and with the database DAT1. It receives messages from the exchanges SSP1 and SSP2 which contain data about the person of subscribers. Such data are, for example, the name or the address of the subscriber, the name of a company or authority with which the subscriber is employed, the name of a department of a company or an authority or the name of a network via which the subscriber can be reached. Using the data base DAT1, he localizes the subscriber with this data and then assigns him a number. This number is either the number of the subscriber or the number of another service that is responsible for the further localization of the subscriber.

It is possible that the service computer SCP1 does not assign the data about the person of the called subscriber to a telephone number in the conventional sense, but quite generally a network address that describes a logical or physical network connection. Such a network address, for example a UPT network address, could be used to route a call to the desired network connection in a future signaling method. The database DAT1 consists of a computer with peripheral components that enable the storage of a large number of data and communication with the service computer SCP1. Access to the database DAT1 could, for example, take place according to the recommendation X.500 from CCITT, 'Directory Services'.

It is also possible here for the database to be distributed to a number of computers connected by a communication network or to be set up on the computer platform of the service computer SCP1.

Data about the person of the subscribers connected to the communication network KN1, for example their name and address, and their telephone numbers are stored in the database DAT1. In addition, the name of the communication network KN2 and the service identifier of the service provided by the service computer SCP2 in the communication network KN2 are stored.

Correspondingly, data about the person of the subscribers connected to the communication network KN2, the name of the communication network KN1 and the assigned telephone numbers are stored in the database DAT2.

It is also possible that all participants in the communication networks KN1 and KN2 and their call numbers are stored in the database DAT1 about the person and that the service computers SCP1 and SCP2 access this "common" database DAT1. This enables the service computers SCP1 and SCP2 to also directly determine the call number of a subscriber in the communication network KN2 or KN1 and thus to determine the call number of a called subscriber across network boundaries.

It is also possible that the 'common' database DAT1 is formed by two sub-databases, each of which is assigned to the communication networks KN1 and KN2 and in which In each case, the data about the person of the participants in the respective communication networks and their telephone numbers are stored. The service computer SCPl would then determine the telephone number assigned to a subscriber by accessing these two databases, for example, first searching the sub-database assigned to the communication network KN1 and then the sub-database assigned to the communication network KN2.

In the following, the connection establishment from subscriber A to subscriber B is explained as a first example of a connection establishment with reference to FIG. 2a.

2a shows the subscribers A and B, the switching center SSPll, the service computer SCPl and the database DAT1.

The subscriber A issues a connection request C (S1) with a service identifier S1 as the call number. This connection request is forwarded to the switching center SSPll. The latter reports the arrival of the connection request to the service computer SCPl and forwards user data PDB, which it receives from subscriber A via a user connection, to the service computer SCPl via a data connection. The latter then determines from the data DPB, which represent data about the person of the subscriber B, by means of the database DAT1, his number NB in the communication network KN1. It sends this back to the switching center SSPll and requests it to forward the call with the number NB as the number. This executes this command and subscriber B receives a connection request C (NB).

In the following, the connection setup from subscriber A to subscriber C is explained as a second example for a connection setup with reference to FIG. 2b. 2b shows the subscribers A and C, the switching centers SSP11 and SSP21, the service computers SCPl and SCP2 and the databases DAT1 and DAT2.

Subscriber A issues a connection request C (S1) with a service identifier S1 as the call number, which is routed to the switching center SSP11. This reports this event and the user data PDC1 received via the user connection to the service computer SCPl. The data PDC1 is data about the person of the subscriber C. Using the exchange of data with the database DAT1, the service computer SCPl then determines that this is a call to a subscriber in the communication network KN2. It thus assigns a data number S2 to the data PDC1, which is the service identifier of the service provided by the service computer SCP2 in the communication network KN2. He then sends the number S2 to the switching center SSPll and instructs it to transfer the connection request with the number S2 as the number, ie. H. forward a connection request C (S2).

The connection request C (S2) is thus forwarded to the switching center SSP21 of the communication network KN2. This recognizes the call number S2 as a service identifier of a service provided by the service computer SCP2 and reports this event as well as user data PDC2 received via a user connection with the connection request C (S2).

As shown in FIG. 2b, the data PDC2 can be sent directly from subscriber A to the service computer SCP2. The data PDC2 are further data about the person of the subscriber C, which describe the subscriber C in more detail.

However, it is also possible that the data PDC2 from the service computer SCPl parallel to the connection request C (S2) to the service computer SCP2 are sent. The data PDC2 would be the data PDC1 originally sent by the subscriber A to the service computer SCPl or part of this data which is sufficient to locate the subscriber C in the communication network KN2. It is also possible that the service computer SCPl receives the data PDC2 on request from subscriber A and then forwards it to the service computer SCP2.

Using the database DAT2, the service computer SCP2 then determines that the data PDC2 are assigned to the subscriber C and sends the call number NC assigned to the subscriber C to the switching center SSP21. At the instigation of the service computer SCP2, the latter then forwards the call to the subscriber C, who thus receives a call C (NC).

The exact structure of the service computers SCPl and SCP2 is explained in more detail below on the basis of the service computer SCPl with the aid of FIG. 3.

Fig. 3 shows the exchanges SSPll and SSP12, the

Service computer SCPl and the database DATl. The service computer SCPl exchanges data with the database DAT1 and with the exchanges SSPll or SSP12.

The names and addresses of all participants in the communication network KN1 and the call numbers assigned to them are stored in the database DAT1. Furthermore, the names of the communication network KN2 and the extension numbers for the service provided by the service computer SCP2 from the communication network KN1 via the gateways GATE1 or GATE2 are stored in the database DAT1. The designation of the communication network KN2 can consist of the designation of the company or authority to which the network is assigned. However, it can also be the name of the operator or the name of the communication network KN2. It is possible that data is not stored in the database DAT1 for all participants in the communication network KN1. It is also possible that the names of any number of other communication networks are stored in the database DAT1 and that they are each assigned one or more direct dial numbers to one or more services in this communication network which serve to locate subscribers in these respective communication networks.

It is also possible for a subscriber to be assigned several numbers. This could serve to locate a subscriber through the service computer SCPl if the subscriber can be reached via several end devices. The service computer SCPl could use mechanisms according to the UPT concept for this.

The service computer SCPl has two interface devices INTER1 and INTER2, a control device CONTR and a communication device KOM. The interface device INTER1 exchanges data with the switching centers SSP11 and SSP12, with the communication device KOM and with the control device CONTR. The interface device INTER2 exchanges data with the database DAT1 and the control device CONTR, which in turn receives data from the communication device KOM.

The interface device INTER1 provides the basic data transmission services required for communication with the switching centers SSP11 and SSP12. For this purpose, it uses protocols according to CCITT signaling system No. 7, INAP (= Intelligent Network Application Part). However, it is also possible for this to use, for example, CSTA protocols (CSTA = Computer Support Telecommunication Application) or X.25 packet protocols. The interface device INTER2 provides the basic data transmission services required for communication with the database DAT1. It is possible to connect the database DAT1 via an asynchronous data connection, for example a LAN or a MAN, or via a data connection according to CCITT signaling system No. 7, INAP. Correspondingly, many different transmission protocols are possible.

The communication device KOM provides the control device CONTR with the data supplied by the calling subscriber about the person of the called subscriber. This data is received by it over a data connection.

There are several options for transporting the user data between the calling party's terminal and the specially designed switching center SSP12 or SSPll via the user connection:

If the terminal E1 is an ISDN terminal, then this data is stored in the signaling data packet assigned to the call by the subscriber A, which is transported from the subscriber A to the switching center SSPII via the ISDN D channel. If the communication device KOM is informed by the switching center SSP1 that a call with the corresponding service identifier has arrived, it instructs the switching center SSP1 to take this data from the signaling data packet and to send it to it.

It is also possible that the personal data are not transported in the signaling data packet. For example, it is possible for this data to be sent in an additional data packet via an ISDN D channel from the terminal E1 to the switching center SSPII and from there to be transmitted transparently to the communication device KüM. In this case, the communication device KOM would control this transmission using appropriate control commands. It is furthermore possible for the communication device KOM to request the terminal El to send the data by causing the switching center SSPII to send a corresponding request message to the terminal El via the ISDN D channel.

If the terminal El is an analog terminal, when a call is received with the corresponding service identifier the communication device KOM initiates the establishment of a user channel to the terminal El. The user data about the person of the called subscriber are then sent in coded form from the terminal E1 to the switching center SSP1 via this established user channel, where they are converted into digital form in a corresponding decoder. Such coding can take place, for example, by means of several different tones as in the multi-frequency dialing method or by a coding method used in the modern for the transmission of digital data via user channels. In this case, the decoding would be carried out by a multi-frequency selection receiver. The decoded data are then sent from the switching center SSP1 to the communication device KOM. The decoding and the transmission are also controlled by the communication device KOM.

It is also possible for the communication device KOM to request the data from the switching center SSP1, for example by causing the switching center SSP1 to send a corresponding voice announcement.

It is also possible for the switching center SSP1 to have a speech recognition device which recognizes words given by the subscriber A in spoken form and sends them to the communication device KOM in a correspondingly changed form. Such a 'voice dialing method' is possible with both analog and ISDN terminals. The control device CONTR uses the data supplied to it by the communication device KOM to locate the person of the called subscriber and determine a call number assigned to the subscriber. For this purpose, it accesses the database DAT1 using a search algorithm via the interface device INT2. It is thus possible for her to determine whether it is a participant in the communication network KN1 or whether it is a participant in the communication network KN2. If more than one telephone number is assigned to the data, it selects an individual one from these according to selected criteria, for example charging or charging aspects. It then sends this call number via the interface device INTER1 to the switching center SSPII and, by means of a control command, causes it to forward the waiting calls with this call number as the call number.

If it is not possible for her to assign a phone number to the data, she sends an appropriate error message to the switching center SSPll to send a corresponding error message to the terminal El.

It is also possible that in this case it sends a corresponding message to the communication device KOM, which then interactively requests the subscriber A to send further data about the person of the called subscriber. It is advantageous here to request the data corresponding to the data structure of the data in the database DAT1.

It is also possible that the control device CONTR1 in such a case initiates a call forwarding to another service, for example an information service.

It is also possible that the data required by the control device CONTR1 to locate the called subscriber via whose person is requested interactively by the subscriber A when the call arrives from the control device CONTR1 by means of the communication device KOM.

In the exemplary embodiment, the connection establishment method according to the invention is performed with the assistance of services which are provided by the service computer SCPl and the switching centers SSP12 and SSPll and by the service computer SCP2 and the switching center SSP21 in accordance with the IN architecture. However, it is also possible that the service provision does not correspond to the IN architecture and that it is therefore not IN services but, for example, only services similar to IN services. For example, it is possible to connect a service server to two exchanges to which a connection is established by selecting a service identifier and which provides the service. Such a service server would independently contain the functional units contained in the processing centers SSP11 to SSP21 and necessary for the provision of the service, such as, for example, push-button receivers or voice recognition devices. This is particularly advantageous for smaller communication networks with only a few switching centers.

Claims

1 7Patent claims

1. Method for establishing a connection from a calling subscriber (A) to a called subscriber (B, C), in which a connection request initiated by the terminal (El) of the calling subscriber (A) to one of several specially designed switching centers (SSP11, SSP12) is routed, in which user data (S1) about the person of the called subscriber (B, C), in particular the name of the called subscriber (B, C), from the calling subscriber via a user connection between the terminal (El) and the switching center (A) are sent to the switching center (SSPll) and the switching center (SSPll) forwards the received user data (S1) via a data connection to a central service computer (SCPl, SCP2) for the special switching centers (SSPll, SSP12), who locates the called subscriber (B, C) with this data using a database (DAT1, DAT2), determines a call number (NB, NC, S2) assigned to the called subscriber (B, C) and the Forwarding of the connection request by the switching center (SSPll) to this call number (NB, NC, S2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the assigned number to the number (NB, NC) of the called subscriber (B, C).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the assigned call number to a further service computer (SCP2), which also serves to forward the connection request to the called subscriber (C), assigned service identifier.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of several communication networks (KNl, KN2) at least one service computer (SCPl, SCP2) with a database (DATl, DAT2) is assigned in the phone numbers (NB; NC ) of subscribers (A, B; C) of the respective communication network (KN1, KN2) and service identifiers of the respective other service computers (SCP2) as well as data associated with these service identifiers about the person of subscribers (A to C).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that each communication network (KNl, KN2) is assigned a single, central service computer (SCPl, SCP2).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the database (DATl) is formed by several sub-databases, that the sub-databases are assigned to different communication networks (KN1, KN2) and in them data about participants ( A to C) of the assigned network (KN1, KN2) and that the assigned call number is determined by the service computer by exchanging data with at least one of these sub-databases beyond network boundaries.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data about the person of the called subscriber (B, C) by the switching center (SSPll) are converted into digital form by means of a device for speech recognition before being sent to the service computer (SCPl) can be forwarded.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data about the person of the called subscriber (B, C) are transmitted in coded form over the user connection.

9. Service computer (SCPl, SCP2) for establishing a connection from a calling subscriber (A) to a called subscriber (B, C), with an interface device (INTER1) for connection to several specially designed switching centers (SSPll, SSP12), with one Communication device (KOM) and is provided with a control device (CONTR), the communication device (KOM) being designed in such a way that it receives useful data about the person of the called subscriber (B,) from the specially designed switching centers (SSPII, SSP12) via data connections. C) receives and forwards it to the control device (CONTR), and the control device (CONTR) is designed in such a way that it locates the called subscriber (B, C) with this data using a database (DAT1, DAT2), a call number assigned to him ( NB, NC, S2) is determined and the call is forwarded to this number (NB, NC, S2) by the switching center (SSP1) from which it transmits the user D received data.

10. Communication network (KNl, KN2) for the connection of several subscribers which is designed so that a connection between a calling subscriber (A) and a called subscriber (B, C) is established by means of a connection setup method according to claim 1.