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: A short message gateway may include signal transfer point (STP) functionality, mobile originating short message service center (SMSC) functionality, and short message delivery point-to-point (SMPP) gateway functionality. The short message gateway may receive an SS7 message including a short message payload. The short message gateway may formulate an SMPP message including the short message payload and access one or more internal address resolution and/or number portability databases to determine the destination address for the SMPP message. The short message gateway may then forward the SMPP message to its destination.

Abstract: A multiple point code routing node is configured to recognize multiple point codes as true point codes. The multiple point code routing node originates, terminates, and processes messages having any of its any of its true point codes. As a result, the multiple point code routing node can replace two or more signal transfer points in a conventional telecommunications network without requiring reconfiguration of other nodes in the telecommunications network. Multiple point code routing node may also recognize multiple adjacent point codes or secondary adjacent point codes of a mated multiple point code routing node. Because the multiple point code routing node can associate multiple point codes with its mate, the number of logical or physical signaling links between adjacent multiple point code routing nodes can be increased.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and redirecting messages of different SS7 protocol variations are disclosed. A screening function receives SS7 message and identifies candidates for redirection. An SS7 variation identifier/redirection function identifies the SS7 protocol variation of incoming SS7 messages identified as candidates for redirection. The redirection candidates are encapsulated in SCCP messages. The SCCP messages are then forwarded to an application. The SCCP messages preferably include indicators identifying the protocol variations of their payloads. Upon receiving the SCCP messages, the application decodes the payloads using the protocol variation indicator.

Abstract: A flexible routing node for re-directing signaling messages in a communications network is disclosed. Re-direction or re-routing of signaling message packets is accomplished through the use of a range or block-based database in conjunction with an exception-based database. The range-based routing instruction databases incorporates a data structure that maps ranges or blocks of mobile identification numbers (MINs) to a single destination network address, while the exceptions database stores any exceptions to these range or block-based rules. The pair of routing databases is implemented such that, when a signaling message is received that requires re-direction, the exception-based database is queried first. If a match is found in the exceptions database, the signaling message is modified using the returned routing instructions and transmitted into an associated communication network. If no match is found in the exception-based database, a default query is performed against the range-based database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, distributing, and screening commercial content are disclosed. A commercial content generator (CCG) generates commercial content message and obtains from a push proxy agent address resolution server the network routing address of each push proxy agent that is required for distribution of the message to the target mobile subscriber audience. A push proxy agent receives a message containing commercial content and resolves a mobile subscriber identifier for each mobile subscriber who is to receive the commercial content information using subscriber information obtained from a subscriber location register, such as a visitor location register (VLR). The push proxy agent may also negotiate media format characteristics for each member of the target mobile subscriber audience and facilitate delivery of the commercial content to each member of the target mobile subscriber audience.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing SS7 messages based on DPC-based routing rules and non-DPC-based routing rules are disclosed. For a message containing signaling system 7 (SS7) information, a message routing function at an SS7 signaling message routing node searches a list of message routing rules using a search key including a DPC parameter extracted from the signaling message. If a matching entry is not located in the first routing rule list, a default SS7 routing rule may be used to route the message. The default routing rule may include wildcard values for each of the network ID, network cluster, and cluster member components of the DPC address field. Multiple default routing rules may be defined using various SS7 discriminator parameters. In addition, new DPC-based routing rules can be created and added to the list of DPC-based routing rules based on lookups in the set of non-DPC-based routing rules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic, rules-based peg counting are disclosed. According to one method, a user creates peg counter definitions using a rules-based language accessible via a graphical user interface. The peg counter definitions are downloaded from an administration server to network monitoring site collectors. The site collectors automatically detect the new peg counter definitions and begin using the new peg counter definitions without ceasing existing peg counting. Peg counter software on the site collectors periodically sends peg counter instances to a data gateway server. The data gateway server aggregates the peg counter instances generated by the various site collectors into system wide peg counter instances.

Abstract: A signaling message processing and routing node transmits and receives short message service (SMS) data packets via a communications network. The routing node includes an SMS message discrimination module that determines whether an unwanted or spam SMS message is being sent to a receiving or called party. Unwanted SMS messages are discarded and consequently not delivered to their intended recipient. As a result, mobile subscribers and network nodes are shielded from unwanted SMS traffic. The SMS message discrimination module also includes a provisioning interface that allows end users and network operators to control SMS message discrimination criteria.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preserving dynamic random access memory content in response to a hung processor condition are disclosed. In order to preserve dynamic random access memory content, a first watchdog timer is initiated and strobed at a predetermined time interval less than its timeout value. If a hung processor condition occurs and the strobing of the first watchdog timer fails, the first watchdog timer generates a non-maskable interrupt to the processor. The non-maskable interrupt triggers the processor to execute an interrupt service routine. If the processor is able to execute the interrupt service routine, the interrupt service routine controls the processor to perform a selective system reset and preserve dynamic random access memory contents. If the processor is not capable of executing the interrupt service routine, a board reset occurs and dynamic random access memory contents are cleared.

Abstract: Methods and systems for migrating between application layer mobile signaling protocols are disclosed. For subscribers of multiple protocols, the registration status is tracked in one or more of the protocols. When a location query message for a subscriber of multiple protocols is received, it is determined whether the subscriber is registered according to the tracked protocol. If the subscriber is registered according to the tracked protocol and the request originated from an MSC of the tracked protocol, the message is routed to an HLR of the tracked protocol. If the subscriber is not registered according to the tracked protocol, a response is formulated to the first message. The response optionally includes a prefix that directs the originating MSC to route the call to an MSC of the non-tracked protocol.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing signaling messages among multiple processors for stateful processing and/or sequenced processing of the messages on a per sequence basis are disclosed. A signaling message is received and it is determined whether the signaling message requires stateful and/or sequenced processing. If the signaling message requires stateful and/or sequenced processing, a sequence identifier is computed for the signaling message. The sequence identifier is unique on a per sequence basis. The sequence identifier is then used to distribute the signaling message to an application processor for stateful and/or sequenced processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for message-origination-based global title translation include receiving a signaling message and determining whether global title translation is required. In response to determining that global title translation is required, a lookup is performed in the global title translation database. The lookup is based on the called party address and the originating point code in the signaling message. The destination point code from the global title translation is inserted in the signaling message. The signaling message is then routed to its intended destination based on the destination point code and optionally the originating point code in the signaling message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating a plurality of different routes with the same destination and for routing signaling messages to the destination based on originating information associated with non-adjacent signaling nodes are disclosed. A routing database in a signal transfer point includes multiple routes to the same destination. The routes are distinguishable from each other in the routing database using message origination information associated with signaling nodes that are not adjacent to the signal transfer point. When a signaling message is received, origination and destination information in the signaling message are used in combination to select among multiple routes to a destination having a network address corresponding to the destination information in the signaling message. The signaling message is then routed over the route selected using the originating information. The selected route may be a high-speed route used to provide a particular quality of service.

Abstract: Database-driven methods and systems for database driven real time call tracing are disclosed. Signaling messages are copied from signaling link interface modules. The copied messages are sent to a database. A server located remotely from the database sends a query to the database for a real time call trace. The database is searched for messages that match the search criteria. If no messages are located in the historical data stored in the database, data entering the database is analyzed in real time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically generating computer code for industry standards reporting are disclosed. A programmer writes core industry standards rules computer code based on industry standards reporting rules. The core industry standards rules computer code is independent of user data formats or locations. A user inputs user-specific data formats and locations in a mapping table that links industry standards reporting rules to the user-specific data formats and locations. A translation script automatically translates the core industry standards rules computer code into user-specific industry standards rules application code based on the data stored in the table. When the industry standards reporting rules change, the core industry standards rules computer code is updated and the translation is re-executed to generate user-specific computer code.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and providing existing and new message accounting records in a standard format using call data obtained from switching and/or signaling networks is disclosed. A system for providing augmented billing messages includes a message accounting record creation apparatus being in communication with a signaling network and a switching network. The message accounting record creation apparatus receives call records from the signaling network and message accounting records from the switching network and outputs augmented message accounting records. Each of the augmented message accounting records is generated using one of the signaling network call records and one of the switching network message accounting records.

Abstract: Methods and systems for defining and distributing network data collection rule sets and for filtering messages using the rule sets are disclosed. Message-based filter criteria are automatically deduced from CDR-based filter criteria and downloaded to site collectors. The site collectors implement rule changes on-the-fly using a table-driven system. The message-based rule sets downloaded to the site collectors are supersets of the messages required by multiple different network monitoring applications. As a result, non-redundant, multi-application data streams are sent across the service provider's internal network, resulting in efficient bandwidth utilization.