Networks, Systems and Methods for Routing Data Traffic Within a Telephone Network Based on Available Resources

Abstract

When a subscriber calls into its Internet Server 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. The subscriber, for instance, can be directed to an access server within the ISP that has excess capacity or can be directed to an access server that provides the best service for the subscriber, whereby subscribers can be directed to X2 type service if they have an X2 modem or to K56Flex type service if they have a K56Flex modem. As another example, if one ISP is at maximum capacity, the subscriber can be directed to a second back-up ISP.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent Ser. No. 10 / 637,178, filed Aug. 8, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 09 / 132,961, filed Aug. 12, 1998, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,893 on Aug. 19, 2003. Both are entirely incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to networks, systems and methods for routing data traffic within a telephone network and, more particularly, to networks, systems and methods for directing data traffic away from the Public Switched Telephone Network and for routing data traffic based on available resources and information about the state of these resources. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the backbone for providing telephony services to business and individuals in the United States. The PSTN includes a number of switches, generally designated as Service Switching Po...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides networks, systems, and methods for directing Internet calls and other data calls away from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This is done by querying a Service Control Point (SCP) and receiving routing directions from an Intelligent Traffic Routing and Control Unit (INTRAC). The SCP determines if the called party is a data call and directs the call to the INTRAC. The INTRAC uses a resource table to determine if the called party has capacity to process the call. The invention also allows for efficient routing of data calls based on geographic locations, preferred service, or other factors. The invention reduces traffic in the PSTN and provides a more efficient way to route calls."

Problems solved by technology

This earlier version of the PSTN was rather inflexible in that changes to the PSTN could only occur with the replacement of the hardware in the PSTN.

The switches, however, could not be quickly updated since the standards and specifications had to be well-defined for the various switch vendors.

Even with SPC in the SSPs, the PSTN was still limited in the services that it could provide.

Although the ISDN has been available for close to 20 years, the use of the ISDN line is not pervasive and estimates place the number of Internet subscribers employing ISDN service at only 1.4 percent.

Unfortunately for the LECs, the cost of this additional PSTN equipment is being born almost entirely by the LECs since they will see little increase in their customer base.

This added expense to each LEC is approximately $100 million per year and is thus a considerable expense to the LECs.

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