Abstract: Interexchange carriers make their rate information for long-distance service available in a database. PBXs and telephone central offices access that rate information using ISDN and/or SS7 signaling and use it as a basis for determining which carder to use at any given time in the routing of a call. Such accessing may be carried out on a call-by-call basis. Or a carrier's schedule of rates can be stored locally in the PBX or local switching office, thereby obviating the need for a database query for every call.

Abstract: An intelligent call processing system is arranged so that each originating switch is provided with a local database called a "global title translation (GTT)" database, which receives a query fully identifying the calling station, typically in terms of its 10 digit number (i.e., three digit [NPA] area code, three digit [NXX] exchange, and four digit line identification). The GTT database responds to the query by identifying the particular NCP in the telecommunications network that contains the appropriate record for completing the call. If the GTT database does not contain an entry, or an error condition exists, a further query is launched to a centralized database, called a "universal global translation (UGT)" database. The UGT database then retrieves information identifying the particular NCP in the telecommunications network that contains the appropriate record for completing the call, and provides this information to the originating switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides real time call control within a telecommunications network, using a call selection processor separate from the switches carrying the call, which responds to incoming calls and uses information carried in the associated signaling messages to determine what application processor, if any, should be involved on the call. One embodiment of the present invention includes a call selection processor called a signaling director", or "SD" for short, for recognizing certain signaling messages, typically SS7 initial address messages (IAM's), as the messages flow through the signaling network. Alternatively, particular signaling messages may be recognized in a signaling message processing element within the signaling network, such as the signal transfer point (STP) associated with the switch that receives the telephone calls, and a copy of those particular messages forwarded to the SD.

Abstract: Interexchange carriers make their rate information for long-distance service available in a database. PBXs and telephone central offices access that rate information using ISDN and/or SS7 signaling and use it as a basis for determining which carrier to use at any given time in the routing of a call. Such accessing may be carried out on a call-by-call basis. Or a carrier's schedule of rates can be stored locally in the PBX or local switching office, thereby obviating the need for a database query for every call.

Abstract: Network elements in a telecommunications network, such as toll switches, databases and the like, are provided with redundant SS7 signaling interfaces based on different software designs. At least one of the interfaces, referred to as a network endpoint signaling transfer point, or NESTP, is loosely coupled to its host and has signaling transfer point (STP) capabilities. In a routing table within the NESTP, a plurality of prioritized route lists are provided for at least some destinations, the list that is used to route a particular message to such a destination being a function of the route by which that message arrived at the NESTP.