Abstract: A Broadband Intelligent Network employs an ATM fast-packet switch to route signaling cells from a calling party to a switch port directly connected to a network controller. The signaling cells carry a service request for download of a program module or data from a network resource unit to the calling party, or for download of a program module or data from the calling party apparatus to a network host resource unit, or for service circuit service to the calling party or in a connection path between the calling party and a called party, or for a message broadcast. The network controller responds to the information in the signaling cells and establishes the necessary switched virtual connections in the ATM switch to provide the requested services. A service creation program may be downloaded to the customer from the network, and used by the customer to create a new service script which is subsequently downloaded to the network for execution.

Abstract: A broadband intelligent network (50) an ATM switch or other fast-packet switch (51) in a fiber optic, fast-packet communication system. The ATM switch (51) is directly coupled (53) through one of its ports to a network service control point (61) for the implementation of requested services without the use of an intermediate common channel signaling system. ATM cells, identified as signaling cells, carry customer service requests and are automatically routed through the ATM switch to the network service control point (61). The service control point (61) determines the requested service and executes a corresponding programmed procedure (210). Connection service requested by a particular signaling cell is implemented by the service control point (61) sending a command cell through a port of the ATM switch (51) to instruct the switch connection management processor (64) to establish a switched virtual circuit for the requested connection.

Abstract: A Broadband Intelligent Network employs an ATM fast-packet switch to route signaling cells from a calling party to a switch port directly connected to a Service Control Point (SCP). The signaling cells carry a service request that requires the support of a network resource, and, in the specific case described herein, the support of the Line Information Data Base (LIDB) to facilitate the establishment of a switched virtual connection to a called party. The SCP acts on the information in the signaling cells and selects the required resource, i.e., the LIDB, and then sends a query cell(s) to the LIDB through a permanent virtual connection in the ATM switch. The LIDB, in turn, acts on the information in the query cell(s) to assemble a response cell(s) with the requested information. The response cell(s) is sent to the SCP through the permanent virtual connection in the ATM switch, thereby enabling the SCP to complete call processing, establish the requested connection, and generate a billing record.