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.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for selectively performing global title translation based on message type at an SS7 network node. A message is received indicating route-on-global-title. A message type of the received message is determined. Global title translation is selectively performed based on the determined message type.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for congestion-based routing of telecommunications signaling messages are disclosed. One method includes determining whether congestion exists on a primary SS7 signaling route to a destination. In response to determining that congestion exists on the primary SS7 signaling route, the method includes redirecting messages to be sent over the primary SS7 signaling route to an alternate SS7 signaling route to the destination independently of whether the primary route is in a failed state.

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: 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 node in a converged network converts a session initiation protocol (SIP) message to a signaling system 7 (SS7) message. A SIP INVITE request is received by the node and the node determines whether the SIP INVITE request is destined for an SS7 user. If the INVITE request is destined for an SS7 user, the node determines whether the INVITE request contains MIME-encoded text and constructs a short message service (SMS) message containing the MIME-encoded text. The SMS message is routed to the SS7 user. In addition, the node constructs an initial address message (IAM) and routes the IAM to the SS7 user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically correlating signaling message priority and IP priority are disclosed. A priority level of a signaling message may be determined based on a priority parameter in the signaling message or a user based priority. The signaling message is encapsulated in an IP packet. A priority level in the IP packet is set based on the priority level determined for the signaling message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing triggerless mobile services are disclosed. According to one method, a mobility management message is sent route-on-point code-subsystem number is received at a network node. The mobile management message includes an MTP destination point code that is not equal to the point code of the receiving node. The mobility management message is identified as a candidate for global title translation service. The mobility management message is analyzed to determine whether the SCCP portion contains global title data. If the SCCP portion does not contain global title data, global title data is derived from a TCAP portion of the message. GTT is performed based on the derived global title data and a point code of a first mobile services node is identified. The MTP DPC in the mobility management message is replaced with a point code of the mobile services node and the message is routed to the mobile services node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic time-based routing rule administration are disclosed. According to one method, routing data for routing messages between a source address and a destination address is stored in a network routing table. A time period is associated with the routing data based on agreements between service providers. Messages are routed between the service providers during the time period. Outside of the time period, routing of messages between the source address and the destination address is automatically inhibited.

Abstract: Methods and systems for load sharing signaling messages at the MTP level are disclosed. When a signaling message is received, it is determined whether the signaling message includes a routing indication indicating route-on-point-code-subsystem-number. If the routing indicator indicates route-on-point-code-subsystem-number, it is determined whether the signaling message belongs to an MTP level 3 load sharing group. If the signaling message belongs to an MTP level 3 load sharing group, the signaling message may be routed to any of the point codes in the MTP level 3 load sharing group. Routing the signaling message to a point code in the MTP level 3 load sharing group may include replacing the destination point code in the signaling message with the destination point code of the node to which the signaling message is to be routed. Once the point code has been replaced, the signaling message is routed to the destination associated with the point code.

Abstract: An STP includes a link interface module for performing SS7 signal transfer functions, such as routing messages between SS7 signaling points. A WLAN signaling link interface is operatively associated with the link interface module for sending and receiving SS7 signaling messages over a wireless signaling link.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for WLAN-based signaling network monitoring are disclosed. A signaling message is received at a network routing node. A message copy function on the network routing node copies the signaling message. The message copy function forwards the copied signaling message to a WLAN interface. The WLAN interface transmits the signaling message to an external network monitoring platform via a wireless local area network connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically populating a network routing table are disclosed. According to one method, where one node includes a route table auto-population application and an adjacent node does not, SS7 network management procedures are used to automatically populate the route table of the requesting node. In another method in which adjacent nodes include route table auto-population applications, the requesting node establishes a secure connection with each adjacent node, requests copies of the route tables from each adjacent node, and uses the received information to populate its route tables. In another implementation, a route table auto-population application dynamically requests and receives routing information for a destination for which no route exists in its route table in response to a received signaling message to be routed to the destination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a WLAN-BTS gateway are disclosed. A handset registers with a WLAN-BTS gateway. The handset then initiates a call by initiating layer 3 air interface signaling with a BTS. The gateway forwards the layer 3 air interface signaling between the gateway and the handset. The gateway learns the control channel and traffic channel allocated to the call, either directly from the layer 3 signaling or from a separate message received from the handset. Once the call is connected, the gateway listens on the traffic channel and forwards voice packets between the handset and the BTS. Communications with the BTS occur over the allocated traffic channel. Communications with the handset occur over a WLAN.

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: 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 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 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.