Local Number Portability (lnp) Patents (Class 379/221.13)
  • Patent number: 7664496
    Abstract: A mobility management analysis architecture for call management. Systems and methods are provided for routing of a landline-mobile and mobile-mobile call using a switching network (landline or mobile originating) to serve effectively as the “GMSC/tandem” switching layer for the mobile network, as well as for mobile-mobile calls using an originating switch. When a landline switch issues an local number portability (LNP) query, the response to the query can be intercepted by a preliminary mobility management platform that determines a location routing number (LRN) for a visited mobile switching center (V-MSC) to which a destination mobile handset is currently attached. The LRN for that V-MSC is returned in the LNP response to the switch, which then routes the call to the serving V-MSC based on the LRN. The V-MSC then performs the GMSC (gateway mobile switching center) functionality, for example, for that particular call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Maurice Scott Laster, Mark Enzmann, John Mark Dammrose, Annie Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7636431
    Abstract: Service subscriber inbound call control is effected from within a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a Call Service Node (CSN). On receipt of a call directed to the service subscriber, at least one messaging network message is sent to the service subscriber to request a call treatment option. Pending receipt of a reply from the subscriber, the call is routed by the CSN to a call parking facility in the PSTN. The call parking facility may be a voice mail box of the subscriber or an announcement facility. After a call treatment option is received, the call is released from the call parking facility the call treatment is effected. The service enables single number service for multiple service subscriber directory numbers, unified voice mail for multiple service subscriber telephone numbers, or segregated voice mail boxes for a single service subscriber number, as well as real-time, interactive inbound call screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventors: L. Lloyd Williams, Michael Kahnert
  • Patent number: 7630485
    Abstract: At least one telephone network element receives an attempt by a caller to place a telephone call to a telephone number of a callee. The telephone number is registered in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) database to receive incoming telephone calls via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. The at least one telephone network element determines a preference to carry the telephone call via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a public land mobile network (PLMN) instead of the VoIP network. Based on the preference, the telephone call is forwarded to a gateway to carry the telephone call to the callee via the PSTN or the PLMN instead of the VoIP network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Bernard Siu-Man Ku, Alex Huang, Armstrong Soo
  • Patent number: 7627108
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium system, and method which provide a ENUM specification in an LNP environment where an originating device of a first service provider dials a dialed call for forwarding to a terminating device of a second service provider. There is provided a combined LNP and ENUM database having a central location which is in communication with both an originating office and a terminating office. Both the originating office and the terminating office can look up and use LNP and ENUM information from the combined database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Enzmann, Robert T. Moton
  • Patent number: 7626979
    Abstract: A communication network comprising a plurality of border controllers, a first packet voice network, a second packet voice network coupled to the first packet network by the plurality of border controllers, and a master border controller coupled to the plurality of border controllers and coupled to the first packet voice network and the second packet voice network. The master border controller, responsive to receiving a plurality of update messages from the plurality of border controllers, processes the update messages to determine the operational states of the plurality of border controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael K. Bugenhagen, Matthew C. Schlesener
  • Patent number: 7620163
    Abstract: A method and system for forecasting telephony traffic trends on a network of a given service provider includes storing number portability records in a database. Each record contains information regarding a corresponding telephone number having been ported between service providers. First and second images of the database are obtained at first and second times. The first and second images are indicative of the records stored in the database at the first and second times. The images are compared to determine migration of the ported telephone numbers between the service providers. Movement of telephone traffic on the network of the given service provider is forecasted as a function of the determined migration of the ported telephone numbers between the service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin James Moisan, Michael Liu, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Frederick Michael Armanino
  • Publication number: 20090207994
    Abstract: Examples of the invention are used to provide a system and method for provisioning a telematics unit number based on a phone number already used by a customer. In examples, the telematics unit is provisioned with a number that aligns with a rate center plan, which is likely to result in a number that is local to a number the customer uses for dialing the unit and/or matches the area code of a number on the customer's account. In example a wireless telephone number is assigned to a vehicle telematics unit from an inventory of available wireless telephone numbers by querying the inventory to identify the wireless telephone number that matches one or more of the customer's home rate center, customer's NPA, customer's NXX, and customer's overlay NPA information based on a plurality of predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yaovi S. Bruce, Laura R. Chmielewski, William E. Italia
  • Patent number: 7570754
    Abstract: A system and method of routing calls in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes receiving an incoming call for the called party, determining the called party location, selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called party location, and routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier. The system includes means for receiving an incoming call for the called party, means for determining the called party location, means for selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called party location, and means for routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Frances Mu-Fen Chin, Jennifer L. Chou, Daisy Feng-Mei Su, Yu Yin
  • Patent number: 7545924
    Abstract: A system and method for providing call information query stores modified call information associated with a telephone number within the local databases of a service provider's local network. The modified call information enables a service provider to unilaterally alter how calls are routed and rated. The service switching points (SSPs) located within a same local network are equipped with modified intelligent network or advanced intelligent network software that enables the local SSPs to receive remote call information resulting from a remote query performed by a remote SSP. The local SSPs analyze the remote call information and generate queries to their local databases to obtain modified call information. New services requiring modified call information can then be implemented based upon the modified call information received as a result of the queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property 1, L.P.
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7542559
    Abstract: System and methods for alleviating the signaling system number 7 (SS7) network by routing WNP data queries for a number's Service Provider ID (SPID) from the SS7 network to a database that resides within the IP network and processed therein for many applications, including inter-carrier SMS and MMS. The WNP data is maintained by the carrier internally, and the query is an IP query for a Service Provider ID (SPID). The system includes an intelligent routing server connected to a messaging service center. The intelligent routing server determines: (i) if the originator subscriber is a valid user of a particular service; and (2) whether the remote receiver is one of its own carrier subscribers. If it is determined that the remote receiver is one of the carriers own subscriber's service provider, then the intelligent routing server routes the SMS to an appropriate messaging service center for delivery of the message to the remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Donnachaidh, Megan Elizabeth Klenzak
  • Patent number: 7529361
    Abstract: A system and method for numbering plan area (NPA) split processing is disclosed. In one implementation, a query is received during a permissive dialing period. The query comprises a destination location that is associated with a first NPA. It is determined whether a first call processing record identifies a service that is NPA sensitive. The first call processing record is associated with a destination location that is undergoing a NPA split. The first call processing record is identified by the destination location and the destination location is associated with a first NPA. A second call processing record is then used for processing in place of the first call processing record when the first call processing record identifies a service that is NPA sensitive. The second call processing record is associated with the destination location that is undergoing an NPA split. The second call processing record is identified by the destination location and the destination location is associated with a second NPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Robert Stroud, Rick Anthony Cherye, Laura Kay Culli
  • Publication number: 20090074173
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes generating one or more route plans, each route plan being associated with a service plan, and provisioning the one or more route plans on a core routing engine accessible by a softswitch for routing calls according to the one or more route plans. The one or more route plans may include an on-net route plan and an off-net route plan. An embodiment of a system includes a local route manager (LRM) configured to generate one or more route plans associated with one or more respective service levels that customers can subscribe to. The system may further include an inventory of trunk groups containing a plurality of trunk group identifiers (IDs), wherein trunk group IDs are marked as either on-net or off-net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications LLC
    Inventors: Matthew K. Davis, Dan Jordan, Greg Gualtieri, Richard Terpstra, Janis Griffin, Murli S. Nair, Susmita G. Saha
  • Publication number: 20090041225
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for number portability with local directory number support are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter herein includes a system for providing number translation with local directory number support. The system includes a communications node for receiving, from a message source, a first message that includes information identifying a subscriber. The system also includes a number translation module, operatively associated with the communications node, for determining a network address and a local directory number associated with the identified a subscriber, and for at least one of: including the network address and local directory number in the first message and forwarding the first message to a destination of the first message; and including the network address and local directory number in a second message and sending the second message to the source of the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Devesh Agarwal, Peter J. Marsico
  • Patent number: 7480289
    Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7477734
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accessing a packet node or device through a circuit-switched network. Circuit-switched technology, such as local number portability techniques, and packet-switching technology, such as soft switches, are integrated in a network. As such, calls may originate from a circuit-switched network and terminate in a packet-switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 7471784
    Abstract: In accordance with an improved call routing methodology, a call is routed within a communication network by reference to one or more databases. In response to receiving a local number portability request at a service control point (SCP), the SCP accesses one or more databases to determine whether or not to apply custom call routing to a call directed to a called telecommunications number. In response to determining to apply custom call routing to the call, the SCP performs at least a second access to the one or more databases to obtain a local routing number (LRN) associated within the one or more databases with a calling telecommunications number associated with the call. The SCP thereafter provides the LRN to a service switch point in the communication network so that the call is routed to a called station associated with the called telecommunications number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Creamer, Victor Moore, Scott Winters
  • Patent number: 7466815
    Abstract: Methods and systems for signaling connection control part (SCCP) loop detection and prevention are disclosed. A signal transfer point (STP) receives a message and performs global title translation (GTT) for the message. The STP compares the originating point code (OPC) in the signaling message with the post-GTT destination point code (DPC) in the message. If the incoming message OPC matches the post-GTT DPC, SCCP looping is detected and the message is discarded. If the incoming message OPC does not match the post-GTT DPC, the STP may correlate the incoming message OPC or the DPC to one or more additional point codes to identify the presence of SCCP looping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Robert J. Delaney, Todd Eichler
  • Patent number: 7418262
    Abstract: A mobile terminal for providing a mobile service and a method for storing and finding a phone number using the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal stores and manages country code information, a mobile service subscriber's registration information, and mobile service usage history information; automatically generates a country code of a country where the mobile terminal is located using the mobile service subscriber's registration information and mobile service usage history information; and executes a phone number storage command or a phone number search command using the country code. Where an international roaming service is executed by a user's moving from one country to another country, the mobile terminal can automatically generate a country code or store an arbitrary phone number. Thus, there is no need for mobile service users to manually enter a country code in their mobile terminal when roaming service is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yong-Hyon Kim
  • Publication number: 20080198999
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using an LRN based query and response mechanism (e.g., a switching office number portability processing mechanism) to effect subscriber cutover are disclosed. According to one method, an LRN based response message including a communications service subscriber identifier is received. A cutover switch LRN associated with the communications service subscriber identifier may be determined. The cutover switch LRN associated with the communications service subscriber identifier may be inserted into the LRN based response message and routing the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Apirux Bantukul, Peter J. Marsico
  • Patent number: 7411944
    Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Steven R. Donovan
  • Publication number: 20080181386
    Abstract: In accordance with an improved call routing methodology, a call is routed within a communication network by reference to one or more databases. In response to receiving a local number portability request at a service control point (SCP), the SCP accesses one or more databases to determine whether or not to apply custom call routing to a call directed to a called telecommunications number. In response to determining to apply custom call routing to the call, the SCP performs at least a second access to the one or more databases to obtain a local routing number (LRN) associated within the one or more databases with a calling telecommunications number associated with the call. The SCP thereafter provides the LRN to a service switch point in the communication network so that the call is routed to a called station associated with the called telecommunications number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas CREAMER, Victor Moore, Scott Winters
  • Patent number: 7406073
    Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventors: John K. Gallant, Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7395276
    Abstract: A method of correcting telephone number status discrepancies using a telephone number inventory management system includes providing a telephone number inventory management system. In the system, each telephone number in a group of telephone numbers is represented by an active data record. The active data records comprise include data representing the telephone number and data representing a rule relating to the telephone number. Each rule represents a unique combination of actual states for telephone numbers among a number of data environments. The method also includes identifying a specific rule that reflects a discrepancy among the plurality of data environments, searching the active data records for telephone numbers relating to the specific rule, and transmitting from the telephone number inventory management system a command to one of the plurality of data environments to change the status of each of the telephone numbers relating to the specific rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee T. Cuckson, Chad Swierczek
  • Publication number: 20080130863
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes placing a local number portability (LNP) order for the TN to be serviced by a core telecommunications carrier; and triggering the port of the TN via the core telecommunications carrier to occur prior to a time during which a typical port of the TN would have automatically occurred. A customer-initiated triggering may occur on a firm order commitment date associated with the LNP order. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Brown, James Carlson, Maria Farnon, Greg A. Land, Bill Long, Troy D. Lynette, Richard D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080130862
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes requesting a real-time (RT) customer service record (CSR) request for a telephone number (TN) associated with a local number portability (LNP) order, the requesting occurring prior to a second CSR request that occurs as part of a submit process for the LNP order; receiving, in response to the request for the RT CSR request, a RT CSR response from a telecommunications carrier that the TN is to be transferred from as part of the LNP order; and validating data in the RT CSR response in order to prevent rejections of the data in the second CSR during the LNP process. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Brown, James Carlson, Maria Farnon, Greg A. Land, Bill Long, Troy D. Lynette, Richard D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080118049
    Abstract: A telephone connection is routed to either a local calling service provider's network or a designated carrier's network. Each digit of a telephone number dialed are received and stored. While each digit is being received, whether the telephone number is inside a predetermined calling area is determined based on the number of digits received. When the telephone number is determined as not being inside a predetermined calling area, connection to a designated carrier's network is established. If inside a predetermined calling area, connection to a local calling service provider's network is established. A searchable database is maintained to retain telephone number pattern fields and instruction fields associated with the telephone number pattern fields. The searchable database is searched one digit at a time sequentially for received digits until a telephone number pattern field matching the number of received digits is found, unless all digits dialed have been searched in the searchable database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Kap Suck Chang
  • Patent number: 7372954
    Abstract: A system and method for numbering plan area (NPA) split processing is disclosed. In one implementation, a query is received during a permissive dialing period. The query comprises a destination location that is associated with a first NPA. It is determined whether a first call processing record identifies a service that is NPA sensitive. The first call processing record is associated with a destination location that is undergoing a NPA split. The first call processing record is identified by the destination location and the destination location is associated with a first NPA. A second call processing record is then used for processing in place of the first call processing record when the first call processing record identifies a service that is NPA sensitive. The second call processing record is associated with the destination location that is undergoing an NPA split. The second call processing record is identified by the destination location and the destination location is associated with a second NPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Robert Stroud, Rick Anthony Cherye, Laura Kay Culli
  • Patent number: 7336955
    Abstract: When a location-area MSC 20 receives an SMS originating signal, an interrogating unit 21 sends an SRIforSM signal including the MSISDN of a receiving terminal 10b to an HLR 30. When the location-area MSC 20 receives an SRIforSMack signal from the HLR 30, a subscriber-identification-information obtaining unit 22 obtains an IMUI contained in the SRIforSMack. An on-origination carrier identifying unit 23 identifies from the IMUI the carrier to which the receiving terminal 10b subscribes. The location-area MSC 20 determines whether the carriers have an SMS interconnection agreement with each other, on the basis of identification made by an on-origination carrier identifying unit 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiji Machida, Tooru Hasegawa, Mayumi Takahashi, Takeshi Ujino
  • Publication number: 20080037759
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for implementing wireless number portability in a wireless communications network, in which an originating switching component determines whether a called number is ported or not based on profile information from a home location register without querying a number portability database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Frances Mu-Fen Chin, Peggy Hasan, Huixian Song, Sandra Lynn True
  • Patent number: 7328257
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows a telecommunication identification number for a communication terminal to be determined upon a presence of a user at the network connected telecommunication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher Reon Gentle, Neil Hepworth, Stéphane Laveau
  • Patent number: 7295666
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for analysing the functions of a signal transfer point in a telecommunications network, said method comprising: Regularly collecting all IPR messages from said signal transfer point and store said messages as a raw data file in a memory, Storing the data present in said IPR messages in a context-linked database, and Creating a report based on data present in said IPR messages by querying said context-linked database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventor: Willem Albert Siebring
  • Patent number: 7289621
    Abstract: A method, and a switched network adapted to carry out the method, and computer-readable media carrying instructions for controlling the network, to increase the utilization of the North American Numbering Plan. Numbers that otherwise would be stranded in a low growth rate area are ported to a network switch serving another rate area. When a switch receives a called number it determines if the number is portable and, if so, accesses a database to determine if the number has been ported. If the number has been ported the switch processes the call in accordance with information linked to the number in the database so that stranded numbers can be assigned to stations without regard to the rate area in which the stations are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Addicks
  • Patent number: 7286660
    Abstract: A system and method for providing call information query stores modified call information associated with a telephone number within the local databases of a service provider's local network. The modified call information enables a service provider to unilaterally alter how calls are routed and rated. The service switching points (SSPs) located within a same local network are equipped with modified intelligent network or advanced intelligent network software that enables the local SSPs to receive remote call information resulting from a remote query performed by a remote SSP. The local SSPs analyze the remote call information and generate queries to their local databases to obtain modified call information. New services requiring modified call information can then be implemented based upon the modified call information received as a result of the queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Properties, LP
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7218721
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for routing communications. A plurality of communication devices are coupled to a communications network. Each communication device has a device identifier. A user-programmable database associates each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier. A call-routing switch arrangement is coupled to the communication network through a portal communication device having a portal identifier. A user designates a destination user identifier when making a communication. The call-routing switches the call, directing the call to a destination device identifier responsive to the user-programmable database association between the destination user identifier and a device identifier. According to the present invention, communications are directed to users and are routed to associated equipment, a user identifier serving as a virtual extension number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Vincent, Tony Chan, Jean-Francois Catz
  • Patent number: 7212623
    Abstract: A method of communication among telephony services using an event context cache can include, in a messaging telephony service, receiving a telephony event from a node in the public switched telephony network specifying a called directory number, a calling directory number, and service context data. The service context data can be stored as an entry within the event context cache. The event context cache can be accessible by at least one other telephony service. The entry can be associated with a key for the event context cache. The key can be specified by the called directory number and the calling directory number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Zygmunt A. Lozinski, Victor S. Moore, Peeyush Jaiswal
  • Patent number: 7206611
    Abstract: A method used in wireless communications for displaying an icon on a wireless communications device indicating that a calling party is a subscriber of a same wireless communications service provider of a called party. A terminating mobile station switching center (MSC) flags a routing number port associated with a routing number and returns the routing number to an originating MSC when it determines that a request for the routing number is sent from a home locator register (HLR) of the called party's wireless communications service provider and the calling party is also a subscriber of the called party's wireless communications service provider. When receiving an incoming call, the terminating MSC inspects whether the incoming call is to be sent through a flagged routing number port. If so, the terminating MSC generates a SETUP message with an instructions to display the icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Wuthnow, William Rosenberg, Matthew Stafford, Richard M. K. Tam
  • Patent number: 7203496
    Abstract: A telecommunication system includes: a first mobile switching center associated with a directory number, a local number portability data storage device in communication with the first mobile switching center, and a second mobile switching center in operative communication with the first mobile switching center and associated with wireless service to a mobile station. A subscriber associated with the mobile station has ported the directory number from the first mobile switching center to wireless service via another mobile switching center. In several embodiments, a method of relating the directory number to the mobile station for an incoming call is provided. The directory number is associated with a first mobile switching center and wireless service to the mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center. Ultimately, in each embodiment of the method, the incoming call is forwarded from the first mobile switching center to another mobile switching center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria M. Halsell
  • Patent number: 7194082
    Abstract: A cross-connect switch (16) for implementing local number portability between a current local service provider originating switch (14) and a desired local service provider ported switch (18). The cross-connect switch (16) is connected in a line associated with a subscriber's directory number between the originating switch (14) and a main distribution frame (12) to establish a first active communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is also connected in-line between the ported switch (18) and the main distribution frame (12) to establish a second inactive communication channel. The cross-connect switch (16) is signaled to automatically deactivate the first communication channel and activate the second communication channel thereby routing communications associated with said subscriber's directory number to the ported switch (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Raymond Kieren
  • Patent number: 7190779
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling network calls that require the support of an intelligent network. From a query by the switching center, an intelligent network is being determined based on which basis network the received call is being initiated from. The network calls' handling is then supported by the determined intelligent network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Renate Zygan-Maus, Hanspeter Ruckstuhl
  • Patent number: 7162495
    Abstract: A method of correcting telephone number porting assignments using a telephone number inventory management system includes providing a telephone number inventory management system. In the system, each telephone number in a plurality of telephone numbers is represented by an active data record. The active data records include data representing the telephone number and data representing a rule relating to the telephone number. The rule relating to the telephone number is selected from a list of rules. Each rule represents a unique combination of actual states for telephone numbers among a plurality of data environments. One of the data environments relates to a porting management system and another of the data environments relates to a telephone number inventory system. The method also includes identifying a specific rule that reflects a discrepancy relating to porting assignments among the plurality of data environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Qwest Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Lee T. Cuckson, Chad Swierczek
  • Patent number: 7155003
    Abstract: When a subscriber calls into its Internet Service Provider (ISP), a central office receiving the call is triggered to perform a Local Number Portability (LNP) query. This LNP query is sent to an Intelligent Traffic Routing and Control (INTRAC) unit resident on a Service Control Point (SCP) which determines whether the call is to an ISP. If the call is to an ISP, the INTRAC unit polls a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server to determine whether resources are available. The RADIUS server tracks the resources of the ISP and of other ISPs and informs the SCP of the available resources. The SCP then inserts the Local Routing Number (LRN) of the preferred resource into a reply that is sent to the central office. If resources are not available, the call is terminated before signaling occurs with any switch associated with the ISP. On the other hand, when resources are available, the subscriber can be directed to the preferred resource for the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventors: Norman Wayne Fleming, James S. Rainwater
  • Patent number: 7142862
    Abstract: A method of relating a dialed number to a new mobile station in a wireless network is provided. The dialed number is associated with a first mobile switching center, the new mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center, and wireless service to the first and second mobile switching centers is provided by a common wireless service provider. The method includes: receiving a return result from a first home location register without location information, querying a second home location register, receiving a return result from the second home location register including location information, and communicating temporary routing and location information to a switch associated with the calling party. In another embodiment, the method also includes: pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center. In another embodiment, a wireless network for relating the dialed number to the new mobile station is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Victoria M. Halsell
  • Patent number: 7139385
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method for NPA split processing on a service control point. These preferred embodiments can be used to overcome problems encountered during a permissive dialing period of an NPA split and yield several advantages over prior art approaches to this problem. Specifically, these preferred embodiments do not require changes to be made to an existing call processing record to include a pointer to a new call processing record identified by a telephone number with a new NPA. Additionally, unlike prior approaches that require changes to be made to all incoming query messages to a service control point, these preferred embodiments do not require extra processing for services that are not NPA sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignees: SBC Technology Resources, Inc., SBC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Robert Stroud, Rick Anthony Cherye, Laura Kay Culli
  • Patent number: 7139585
    Abstract: When an incoming call to a wireless communication apparatus is detected, a wireless control apparatus uses a wireless link, which has been established by previous communication, to perform succeeding communication. Examples of communication include communication of audio or data already completed, or, when there are a plurality of wireless communication apparatus, communication of control information by a wireless link established when notification of an incoming call is given to the wireless communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Futoshi Hachimura, Hiroyuki Yatsu
  • Patent number: 7136460
    Abstract: A method and system for forwarding information, such as a message waiting indicator (MWI) message, to a telephone number corresponding to a foreign network (e.g., a wireless network) and a shared NPA/NXX—The invention evaluates individual telephone numbers of shared NPA/NXXs to determine to what networks to send messages. A representative embodiment of the invention uses a service control point and service package application to deliver an MWI message from a messaging service provider to a wireless (i e., foreign network) telephone number of a shared NPA/NXX, Shared NPA/NXXs are marked as “portable” in a signal transfer point for forwarding to the service control point, which determines whether the shared NPA/NXX telephone numbers require local number portability global title translation or should be forwarded to an inter-switch voicemail routing (ISVMR) service package application. The ISVMR service package application determines the point code to which the MWI message should be routed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Bedingfield
  • Patent number: 7127052
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Baumert, Juergen Lantermann
  • Patent number: 7127057
    Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing and accessing large amounts of signaling message processing data in a signaling message processing node are disclosed. More particularly, a large amount of signaling message processing data, such as number portability translation data, may be segmented and distributed across multiple processing modules. For example, subscriber portability data contained in a large national local number portability (LNP) database is divided or segmented according to NPA-NXX ranges or geographic regions, and LNP data associated with each region or segment is stored on a different database service module (DSM) within the message processing system. A signaling message requiring number portability processing is received by a communication module. The communication module directs the message a DSM that contains the LNP data segment necessary to process the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tekelec
    Inventors: Robert J. Delaney, Todd Eichler, Peter J. Marsico
  • Patent number: 7106844
    Abstract: A service provider's system components such as but not limited to a billing system and facilities maintenance system are sent a message that identifies contaminated telephone numbers contained within a block of numbers released to a service provider from a number pooling authority. The message also identifies the (location routing number) LRN associated with the switch of the uncontaminated numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Roderick Holland
  • Patent number: 7096023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a network element in a telecommunications system. The telecommunications system comprises at least two telecommunications networks and means for providing number portability service between the networks and also supplementary telecommunications services. The method comprises the steps of initiating a set-up procedure for communications between two stations, sending an enquiry to the number portability service, determining if the called station is a ported station, and informing the supplementary telecommunications service of the results of said determination before initiating an use of said supplementary telecommunications service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jari Eikkula
  • Patent number: 7043229
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a tariff for a real-time wireless service such as a prepaid service (PPS) for a wireless telephone call. A Local Number Portability Point (LNPP) provides an interface between service scripts in a Service Control Point (SCP) or application server, and an LNP database. When an Initial Detection Point (IDP) message is received by the service scripts, a query is sent through the LNPP to the LNP database to determine whether the call is made to or from a ported telephone number. If so, a routing number is returned. The scripts determine whether the routing number points to the network operator's own network or another, and notify a Service Data Point (SDP). If the routing number points to the operator's own network, the SDP applies a first tariff to the call. If the routing number points to another network, the SDP applies a second tariff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Steve Hazlewood