Abstract: Methods and systems for providing SIP trunk groups are disclosed. A SIP call processor identifies an incoming SIP trunk group based on one or more parameters associated with an incoming SIP message. The SIP call processor selects per-trunk-group call processing data based on the incoming SIP trunk group. The SIP call processor selectively processes the call based on the per-trunk-group call processing data selected for the incoming SIP trunk group.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying calls connected without answer supervision and for automatically generating billing information for these calls are disclosed. A monitoring device copies signaling messages associated with calls. The signaling messages are correlated into call detail records. The call detail records are analyzed to identify calls connected without answer supervision. In one implementation, calls that exceed a predetermined duration and for which no answer message was returned from the terminating end office are identified as calls without answer supervision. For these calls, billing records may be generated and forwarded to a network billing center.

Abstract: A network element that is capable facilitating the routing and accounting of messages between a plurality of network elements that do not share a common signaling application protocol nor a common transport protocol suite. In one embodiment of the present invention, a Multi-Protocol Gateway (MPG) is adapted to receive a signaling message and subsequently translate both the signaling and transport protocol suite prior to message routing. The MPG node is also configured to create and maintain usage and measurements data that may subsequently be used to produce billing records.

Abstract: A distributed gateway includes distributed gateway routing elements co-located with SS7 network elements. Each distributed gateway routing element performs an SS7 routing function, such an MTP level 3 routing function. The distributed gateway routing elements communicate with each other over a virtual bus that guarantees quality of service for SS7 message packets. Accordingly, the distributed gateway routing elements set quality of service parameters in the SS7 message packets that are forwarded over the virtual bus.

Abstract: Method and systems for providing triggerless screening services include a triggerless screening service routing node and a message processing platform. The triggerless screening service routing node identifies call setup messages that require one or more call screening services and diverts the messages to a message processing platform. The message processing platform performs at least one screening action on the call setup messages and modifies the messages to include the type and result of the screening action.

Abstract: A network element for routing a calling name (CNAM) query message through a communications network includes a communication module capable of receiving a CNAM query message from and transmitting the CNAM query message to a communications network. A CNAM query routing information database stores CNAM query routing information for at least one CNAM database. A CNAM query routing address translation process performs a lookup in the CNAM query routing information database based on information contained in the query message and determines whether to route the query message to a national CNAM database based on results from the database lookup.

Abstract: A network element provides service control point or database node front end processing functionality, as well as routing functionality for routing data packets through a network. The network element includes a first communication module for receiving data packets from a first communication network. A second communication module transmits data packets over a second communications network. A database access control (DAC) process queries a DAC database and modifies received packets to include information returned by the database lookup.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving trunk utilization for calls to ported numbers are disclosed. A method for improving media trunk utilization for calls directed to ported numbers includes receiving a call setup message associated with the call in a communications network and determining whether the call setup message is directed to a ported number. In response to determining that the call is directed to a ported number, called party information is extracted from the call setup message. A lookup is performed in a number portability database using the called party information to locate a routing number for the called party. A media trunk is selected for the call based on the routing number. The call is then routed through a media gateway associated with the media trunk.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing mobile subscriber surveillance identify certain call signaling messages as candidate messages for mobile subscriber surveillance. From the candidate messages, messages associated with mobile subscribers under surveillance are identified. Mobile subscriber location information is obtained for the messages associated with the mobile subscribers under surveillance. The location information is forwarded to a surveillance center, such as a state or federal law enforcement or security agency. The original call signaling messages are forwarded to their intended destinations so that surveillance is performed transparently to the mobile subscriber under surveillance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing mobile subscriber surveillance identify certain call signaling messages as candidate messages for mobile subscriber surveillance. From the candidate messages, messages associated with mobile subscribers under surveillance are identified. Mobile subscriber location information is obtained for the messages associated with the mobile subscribers under surveillance. The location information is forwarded to a surveillance center, such as a state or federal law enforcement or security agency. The original call signaling messages are forwarded to their intended destinations so that surveillance is performed transparently to the mobile subscriber under surveillance.

Abstract: A signal transfer point-like network routing element capable of providing call signaling services required in a mobile communications network is disclosed. A mobile services routing node can be configured to provide the functionality of a Home Location Register (HLR), a Visitor Location Register (VLR), an Equipment Identification Register (EIR), and an Authentication Center (AuC). As such, the mobile services routing node is adapted to receive mobile service related signaling messages, perform the necessary mobile service processing, and route response messages as required.

Abstract: Methods and systems for universal, automatic service selection are disclosed. A method for universal, automatic service selection includes receiving signaling messages and identifying signaling connection control part (SCCP) messages from the signaling messages. The SCCP messages are decoded to extract SCCP parameters and application layer parameters from the messages. A routing address translation service is selected for each of the SCCP messages based on application identifiers that identify application layer message types alone or in combination with other parameters. Selecting the routing address translation service in this manner makes the service selection more robust and universally applicable, especially in networks where different or non-standard selector parameters are utilized.

Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving trunk utilization for calls to ported numbers are disclosed. A method for improving media trunk utilization for calls directed to ported numbers includes receiving a call setup message associated with the call in a communications network and determining whether the call setup message is directed to a ported number. In response to determining that the call is directed to a ported number, called party information is extracted from the call setup message. A lookup is performed in a number portability database using the called party information to locate a routing number for the called party. A media trunk is selected for the call based on the routing number. The call is then routed through a media gateway associated with the media trunk.

Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobility management routing (MMR) node that performs location management signaling operations associated with mobile subscribers. The MMR node may also perform the signaling message routing functionality typically provided by a network routing node, such as a signaling system 7 (SS7) signal transfer point (STP) or an SS7-over-Internet protocol signaling gateway (SG). The MMR node caches mobile subscriber information extracted from messages transmitted between an HLR and a VLR and responds to some of the messages using the cached information. As a result, signaling message traffic and call setup time in a mobile communications network are reduced.

Abstract: A prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node performs prepaid SMS screening and accounting functions. When the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node receives an SMS message, it determines whether the originating subscriber is a ported subscriber attempting to access an SMSC from the donor network. If the originating subscriber is a ported subscriber attempting to access a donor network SMSC, the SMS message may be discarded. If the originating subscriber is not a ported subscriber, the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node determines whether the subscriber is a prepaid subscriber. If the subscriber is a prepaid subscriber, the prepaid SMS screening, routing, and accounting node determines whether the subscriber has sufficient credit to send the SMS message. If the subscriber has sufficient credit to send the message, the prepaid SMS screening, accounting, and routing node debits its accounting database and forwards the message to its intended destination.

Abstract: A duplicate point code routing node is capable of routing messages to nodes having the same point code but being located in different national networks. The duplicate point code routing node associates a group code with received messages and uses the group code to route the messages to the appropriate national network. The group code may be determined based on the link or linkset from which a message is received or from the message itself.

Abstract: A wireless communication network monitoring system for use in performing a user specified trace of signaling messages associated with a mobile call is disclosed. A central processing platform creates and distributes signaling message filter criteria information to a plurality of link monitoring modules (LMM). The filter criteria are asserted at a LMM and a matching signaling message is copied and subsequently transmitted to the central processing platform. Central processing platform receives the matching signaling message and uses information contained therein to create and distribute a second signaling message filter criteria. In such a manner, a call trace sequence is compiled and displayed. A billing subsystem is also disclosed and is adapted to generate a billing record based on information contained with one or more of the messages associated with the call trace sequence.

Abstract: A distributed gateway includes distributed gateway routing elements co-located with SS7 network elements. Each distributed gateway routing element performs an SS7 routing function, such an MTP level 3 routing function. The distributed gateway routing elements communicate with each other over a virtual bus that guarantees quality of service for SS7 message packets. Accordingly, the distributed gateway routing elements set quality of service parameters in the SS7 message packets that are forwarded over the virtual bus.