Method and system for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number The disclosure encompasses: receiving, an indication of the call related to the special number. Next, the disclosure encompasses: retrieving, a location identifier of a calling party; and identifying, a status of a called party, the status is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status. The disclosure further encompasses: performing, a search procedure in an event the status is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status; determining, an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and routing, the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING ROUTING OF A CALL RELATED TO A SPECIAL NUMBER FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to network performance management systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number present in a pre-defined list of special numbers, wherein the special number is one of a national toll free (NTF) number and an international toll free (ITF) number that is assigned by a network service provider to an entity such as a bank, an e-commerce platform etc. BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. The third- generation (3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.

[0004] The wireless communication networks provide a facility of providing special numbers to various entities. Particularly, special numbers like national toll free (NTF) numbers and / orinternational toll free (ITF) numbers are allocated by a network service provider to organizations such as banks, smart-phone vendors, e-commerce sites etc. Users of communication devices such as mobile phones can have easy and faster communication with these organizations / entities by dialing these toll-free numbers without getting charged for the call. Usually, these numbers are in lakhs and for each number, a destination is unique for every public land mobile network (PLMN) of a wireless communication network. Further, over the period of time various solutions have been developed to improve the performance of the communication devices and to optimize routing of a call related to special numbers. However, there are certain challenges with existing solutions.

[0005] In the existing solutions, routing of the call related to these special numbers requires configuring of lakhs of routing entries (i.e., destinations for the special numbers) , for each PLMN of the wireless communication network, thereby leading to many challenges including but not limited to thereby leading to an increased database size, latency for database query, increased call set up time and poor user experience. Configuration of lakhs of routing entries need to be configured against each PLMN, resulting in an increase in database size. With the increase in database size, latency for every database query increases, thereby affecting call setup time and hence, results in poor user experience. Further, due to the large number of routing entries, high memory is required. Higher memory consumption lowers the call processing rate. Further, due to the large number of routing entries, slower maintenance operation protocol (MOP) execution takes place which causes slower roll out of any given solution in production, wherein the MOP is a protocol that is used for performing actions such as uploading, downloading, remote testing and problem diagnosis etc.

[0006] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to optimize routing of a call related to special numbers such as International Toll-Free Service (ITFS) related numbers and National Toll- Free Service (NTFS) related numbers, which the present disclosure aims to address. SUMMARY

[0007] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers. The method comprisesreceiving, by a transceiver unit, an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre- defined list of special numbers. Further the method encompasses retrieving, by an identification unit, a location identifier of a calling part. The method further encompasses identifying, by the identification unit, a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status. Further the method encompasses performing, by an analysis unit, a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status. The method further encompasses determining, by a determination unit, an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location. Furthermore, the method encompasses routing, by a routing unit, the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

[0009] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the receiving, by the transceiver unit, the indication of the call comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite, wherein the SIP invite is received upon initiation of the call from the calling party to the called party.

[0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the routing, by the routing unit, the call from the origination location to the destination, is based on one of a destination defined in a home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination defined in a default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the roaming location.

[0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the routing, by the routing unit, the call from the origination location to a destination, is based on the destination defined in the default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination in the home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table for routing the call is undefined.

[0012] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the search procedure comprises searching, by the analysis unit, the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party.

[0013] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the identification unit retrieves the location identifier of the calling party from a local database

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers. The system comprises a transceiver unit configured to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers. Further, the system comprises an identification unit that is connected to at least the transceiver unit, and the identification unit is configured to: 1) retrieve a location identifier of a calling party, and 2) identify a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status. Further, the system comprises an analysis unit that is connected to at least the identification unit, the analysis unit is configured to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status. The system further comprises a determination unit connected to at least the analysis unit, the determination unit is configured to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location. Furthermore, the system comprises a routing unit that is connected to at least the determination unit, the routing unit is configured to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transceiver unit of the system to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers; an identification unit of the system to: 1) retrieve a location identifier of a calling party and 2) identify a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status; an analysis unit of the system to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status; a determination unit of the system to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and a routing unit of the system to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

[0017] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers.

[0018] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that reduces the number of routing entries for national toll free numbers and international toll free numbers.

[0019] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that optimizes a destination selection mechanism for a call related to a special number such as a national toll free (NTF) number and an international toll free (ITF) number status.

[0020] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that substantially reduces the memory usage.

[0021] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that improves the call processing rate.

[0022] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that makes the Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) execution faster, thereby helping in faster roll out of any given solution in production.

[0023] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that optimizes a database size.

[0024] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that reduces latency for every database query.

[0025] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that optimizes call set up time.

[0026] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that improves the user experience while calling a special number. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates a method flow diagram for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary process flow diagram for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0032] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[0034] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[0035] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0036] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

[0037] The word “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims,such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0038] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.

[0039] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”, “a smart- device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and / or computing device or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The user equipment / device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0040] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective functions.

[0041] As used herein “interface” or “user interface refers to a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information or data. The interface may also be referred to a set of rules or protocols that define communication or interaction of one or moremodules or one or more units with each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be called.

[0042] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.

[0043] As used herein the transceiver unit include at least one receiver and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals, information or a combination thereof between units / components within the system and / or connected with the system.

[0044] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various the components / units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing method and system of optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers. The special numbers i.e., International Toll Free Numbers and / or National Toll Free Numbers are in lakhs and in the existing solutions for each number a destination is unique for every PLMN of a wireless communication network. This leads to problems in optimizing these special numbers. Therefore the currently known solutions for optimizing routing of a call related to special numbers have several shortcomings such as the requirement of large number of entries, higher memory consumption, lower call processing rate, slower Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) execution, slower roll out of any given solution in production, high latency for every database query, increased call setuptime and poor user experience in calling the International Toll Free Numbers and the National Toll Free Numbers.

[0046] The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by configuring routing entries only in two circles of the wireless communication network i.e., home and default circles. By reducing the number of routing entries based on the implementation of features of the present disclosure, a lower memory usage, a higher call processing rate and a faster Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) execution is achieved. The faster MOP execution helps faster roll out of any given solution in production.

[0047] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device

[1000] (or as used herein as computer system

[1000] ) upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The computing device

[1000] is in communication with a wireless communication network or in an implementation the computing device

[1000] is configured at the wireless communication network. In an implementation, the computing device

[1000] may implement a method for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number mentioned in a pre-defined list of special numbers by utilising the system

[0200] . In another implementation, the computing device

[1000] itself implements the method for optimizing routing of the call related to the special number mentioned in the pre-defined list of special numbers using one or more units configured within the computing device

[1000] , wherein a person skilled in the art would appreciate that said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0049] The computing device

[1000] may include a bus

[1002] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor

[1004] coupled with bus

[1002] for processing information. The hardware processor

[1004] may be, for example, a general- purpose microprocessor. The computer system

[1000] may also include a main memory

[1006] , such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus

[1002] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor

[1004] . The main memory

[1006] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor

[1004] . Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor

[1004] , render thecomputer system

[1000] into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computer system

[1000] further includes a read only memory (ROM)

[1008] or other static storage device coupled to the bus

[1002] for storing static information and instructions for the processor

[1004] .

[0050] A storage device

[1010] , such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus

[1002] for storing information and instructions. The computer system

[1000] may be coupled via the bus

[1002] to a display

[1012] , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for displaying information to a computer user. An input device

[1014] , including alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the bus

[1002] for communicating information and command selections to the processor

[1004] . Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller

[1016] , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor

[1004] , and for controlling cursor movement on the display

[1012] . This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.

[0051] The computer system

[1000] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and / or program logic which in combination with the computer system

[1000] causes or programs the computer system

[1000] to be a special-purpose machine. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the computer system

[1000] in response to the processor

[1004] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory

[1006] . Such instructions may be read into the main memory

[1006] from another storage medium, such as the storage device

[1010] . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory

[1006] causes the processor

[1004] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

[0052] The computer system

[1000] also may include a communication interface

[1018] coupled to the bus

[1002] . The communication interface

[1018] provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link

[1020] that is connected to a local network

[1022] . For example, the communication interface

[1018] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to acorresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication interface

[1018] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface

[1018] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0053] The computer system

[1000] can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link

[1020] and the communication interface

[1018] . In the Internet example, a server

[1030] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet

[1028] , the ISP

[1026] , the local network

[1022] , the host

[1024] and the communication interface

[1018] . The received code may be executed by the processor

[1004] as it is received, and / or stored in the storage device

[1010] , or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[0054] Referring to Figure 2 an exemplary block diagram of a system

[0200] for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, is shown, in accordance with the exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The system

[0200] comprises at least one transceiver unit

[0202] , at least one identification unit

[0204] , at least one analysis unit

[0206] , at least one determination unit

[0208] and at least one routing unit

[0210] . Also, all of the components / units of the system

[0200] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, in Figure 2 only a few units are shown, however, the system

[0200] may comprise multiple such units or the system

[0200] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system

[0200] may reside in a server or a network entity.

[0055] The system

[0200] is configured for optimizing routing of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers, with the help of the interconnection between the components / units of the system

[0200] . Further, in an implementation, the system

[0200] resides in a converged telephony application server (CTAS). The CTAS on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network is capable of handling VoLTE, fixed and enterprise subscribers simultaneously.

[0056] Particularly, for optimizing routing of the call related to the special number in the pre- defined list of special numbers the transceiver unit

[0202] is configured to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers. The pre-defined list of the special numbers may comprise of a list of numbers related to both a national toll-freeservices (NTFS) and an international toll-free services (ITFS) and a network service provider of the wireless communication network does not charge any cost from calling parties that are calling on these numbers. To, receive the indication of the call, the transceiver unit

[0202] is configured to receive a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite, wherein the SIP invite is received upon initiation of the call from the calling party to the called party. The special numbers include numbers like international toll-free numbers related to international toll-free services (ITFS) and national toll- free numbers related to national toll-free services (NTFS). The special numbers may be allocated to organisation such as banks, smart-phone vendors, e-commerce sites etc, so that users / customers can have easy and faster communication with these organization. The users are not charged for the calls by dialling these toll-free numbers. Furthermore, the SIP is a signalling protocol that initiates, maintains, and terminates communication sessions between the calling party and the called party and the SIP invite is the request to initiate the communication session between the calling party and the called party. Therefore, the transceiver unit

[0202] receives the SIP invite to initiate the communication between the calling party and the called party.

[0057] After the transceiver unit

[0202] receives the indication of call related to special number, the identification unit

[0204] that is connected to at least the transceiver unit

[0202] is configured to retrieve a location identifier of the calling party. The location identifier may be a P-Visited- Network-Identifier (PVNI). The location identifier (PVNI) may include an information related to a location of the calling party. Further, the identification unit

[0204] retrieves the location identifier of the calling party from a local database, wherein the local database resides in the home network and may have the information related to the calling party.

[0058] Furthermore, after retrieving the location identifier of the calling party, the identification unit

[0204] is configured to identify a status of the called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status. The status of the toll free number provides that accessibility of the toll free number i.e., the region in which the toll free number are accessible for free. Further, if the status of the toll free number is national toll free (NTF) number, the callers or the calling parties of that nation where the organization is operating or providing its services can communicate via the national toll free (NTF) number for free. Furthermore, if the status of the number is international toll free (ITF) number the number are accessible free of cost to all international callers or the calling parties.

[0059] After, identifying the status of the called party the analysis unit

[0206] is configured to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTFnumber status, and the ITF number status. The search procedure includes a process of searching the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party. Therefore, the analysis unit

[0206] , to perform the search procedure, is further configured to search the destination for the called party, based on the routing definition related to the called party. The NTF numbers and the ITF numbers require routing treatment to select appropriate destination based on the calling party’s location. Routing definition may define routing for the call in different circles of the wireless communication network based on the location identifier of the calling party. Particularly, the called party may be routed in one of the home circle and the default circle based on the location identifier of the calling party. Further, the destination may be the communication address where the calling party intends to send the communication.

[0060] Further, after performing the search procedure, the determination unit

[0208] is configured to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location. Also, the origination location of the calling party is a location of the calling party from where the call is initiated. The location of the calling party is determined on the basis of the local database. Further on the basis of the location of the calling party the destination for the called is determined. The home location is obtained if the location of the calling party is in the home network and the location may be roaming if the location of the calling party is not in the home network.

[0061] Further, the routing unit

[0210] is configured to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party. Routing the call refers to the call management system where each incoming call is placed in a queue and is then routed to a user device of a specific person or a user device of a group of people based on pre-established rules and criteria. Further, the routing unit

[0210] is configured to route the call from the origination location to the destination, based on one of: the destination defined in a home P- Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location; and the destination defined in a default PVNI table in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the roaming location. The home PVNI table may be present in a routing definition defined for the home circle and may comprise of table of the called parties whose destination is defined in the home circle. The calling parties whose location is determined as home and whose destination is present in the home circle are routed in the home PVNI table. Further the remaining called parties whose location is not defined in the home circle or home PVNI table, the location of the same are defined in a routing definition comprising a default PVNI table defined for the default circle. Therefore, the calling party whoseoriginating location is not defined as home location; the calling party is routed in the default PVNI table. Moreover, the routing unit

[0210] is further configured to route the call from the origination location to the destination, based on a destination defined in the default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination in the home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table for routing the call is undefined. Wherein the destination is referred to as undefined when the calling party whose originating location is determined as home location but the destination is not defined in the home PVNI and therefore such calling party may be routed in the default PVNI.

[0062] Therefore, the system

[0200] efficiently and effectively facilitates routing of the call related to the special number mentioned in the pre-defined list of special numbers.

[0063] Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary method flow diagram

[0300] for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. In an implementation the method

[0300] is performed by the system

[0200] . Further, in an implementation, the system

[0200] may be present in or connected to a server device or a network entity to implement the features of the present disclosure. In an implementation the system

[0200] resides in a converged telephony application server (CTAS). The CTAS on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network is capable of handling VoLTE, fixed and enterprise subscribers simultaneously. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the method

[0300] starts at step

[0302] .

[0064] At step

[0304] , the method comprises receiving, by a transceiver unit

[0202] , an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers. The pre-defined list of the special numbers may comprise of a list of numbers related to both a national toll-free services (NTFS) and an international toll-free services (ITFS) number and a network service provider of the wireless communication network does not charge any cost from the calling parties that are calling on these numbers. For receiving the indication of the call, the transceiver unit

[0202] receives a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite, wherein the SIP invite is received upon initiation of the call from the calling party to the called party. Further, the special numbers include numbers like international toll-free number related to international toll-free services (ITFS) and national toll-free numbers related to national toll-free services (NTFS). The special numbers may be allocated to organisation such as banks, smart-phone vendors, e-commerce sites etc, so that users / customers can have easy and faster communication with these organization. The users are not charged for the calls by dialling these toll-free numbers Furthermore, the SIP is a signallingprotocol that initiates, maintains, and terminates communication sessions between the calling party and the called party and the SIP invite is the request to initiate the communication session between the calling party and the called party. Therefore, the transceiver unit

[0202] receives the SIP invite to initiate the communication between the calling party and the called party.

[0065] Further, at step

[0306] , the method comprises retrieving, by an identification unit

[0204] , a location identifier of a calling party. The location identifier may be a P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI). The location identifier (PVNI) may include an information related to location of the calling party. The identification unit

[0204] retrieves the location identifier of the calling party from a local database, wherein the local database resides in the home network and may have the information related to the calling party.

[0066] At step

[0308] , the method comprises identifying, by the identification unit

[0204] , a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status. The status of the toll free number provides that accessibility of the toll-free number i.e., the region in which the toll free number are accessible for free. Further, if the status of the toll-free number is national toll free (NTF) number, the callers or the calling parties of that nation where the organization is operating or providing its services can communicate via the national toll free (NTF) number for free. Furthermore, if the status of the number is international toll free (ITF) number the number are accessible free of cost to all international callers or the calling parties.

[0067] Further, at step

[0310] , the method comprises, performing, by an analysis unit

[0206] , a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status. The search procedure includes a process of searching the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party. Moreover, search procedure comprises searching, by the analysis unit

[0206] , the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party. The NTF numbers and the ITF numbers require routing treatment to select appropriate destination based on the calling party’s location. Routing definition may define routing for the call in different circles of the wireless communication network based on the location identifier of the calling party. Particularly the called party may be routed in one of the home circle and the default circle based on the location identifier of the calling party. Further, the destination may be the communication address where the calling party intends to send the communication.

[0068] At step

[0312] , the method comprises, determining, by a determination unit

[0208] , an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location. Also, the origination location of the calling party is a location of the calling party from where the call is initiated. The location of the calling party is determined on the basis of the local database. Further on the basis of the location of the calling party the destination for the called is determined. The home location is obtained if the location of the calling party is in the home network and the location may be roaming if the location of the calling party is not in the home network.

[0069] Moreover, at step

[0314] , the method comprises, routing, by a routing unit

[0210] , the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party. Routing the call refers to the call management system where each incoming call is placed in a queue and is then routed to a use device of a specific person or a user device of a group of people based on pre-established rules and criteria. Further, the routing, by the routing unit

[0210] , the call from the origination location to the destination, is based on one of the destination defined in a home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination defined in a default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the roaming location. The home PVNI table may be present in a routing definition defined for the home circle and may comprise of table of the called parties whose destination is defined in the home circle. The calling parties whose location is determined as home and whose destination is present in the home circle are routed in the home PVNI table. Further the remaining called parties whose location is not defined in the home circle or home PVNI table, the location of the same are defined in a routing definition comprising a default PVNI table defined for the default circle.. Therefore, the calling party whose originating location is not defined as home location; the calling party is routed in the default PVNI table. Furthermore, the routing, by the routing unit

[0210] , the call from the origination location to a destination, is based on the destination defined in the default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination in the home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table for routing the call is undefined. Wherein the destination is referred to as undefined when the calling party whose originating location is determined as home location but the destination is not defined in the home PVNI and therefore such calling party may be routed in the default PVNI.

[0070] Thereafter, the method terminates at step 316.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4 that illustrates an exemplary process flow diagram for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The process

[0400] starts at step

[0402] and is implemented at the CTAS via the system

[0200] .

[0072] At step

[0404] , the process

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite at the CTAS on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network for checking the called party. When a calling party calls a toll-free number i.e., NTFS or ITFS related number, the invite is received at the CTAS. The CTAS examines the called party and retrieves calling party location from a local database.

[0073] Next, at step

[0406] , the process

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises identification of called party. For all calls from the calling party, the called party is identified either as national toll free (NTF) or as international toll free (ITF) number. If the called party is neither an NTF number nor an ITF number, then in step

[0408] , a normal number routing procedure will take place at the CTAS. If the called party is either an NTF number or an ITF number, then a destination for the called party in its routing definition is searched by the CTAS.

[0074] Next, at step

[0410] , the process

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises checking if the calling party originates call from home location. If yes, then at step

[0412] , destination defined under home PVNI table will take precedence. If calling party does not originate call from the home location, then at step

[0414] , destination defined under default PVNI will be picked to route the call.

[0075] Thereafter, the process terminates at step

[0416] .

[0076] The present disclosure further discloses a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre- defined list of special numbers, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transceiver unit

[0202] of the system to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers; an identification unit

[0204] of the system to: 1) retrieve a location identifier of a calling party and 2) identify a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status; an analysis unit

[0206] of the system to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTFnumber status, and the ITF number status; a determination unit

[0208] of the system to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and a routing unit

[0210] of the system to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

[0077] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers. The present disclosure is an advanced solution for reducing the number of entries. The present disclosure also helps to achieve lower memory usage for database and higher call processing rate. The present disclosure also helps in faster maintenance operation protocol (MOP) execution, thereby helping faster roll out of any given solution in production. Further, the present disclosure optimizes the database size, reduces latency for every database query, and optimizes call setup time and improving the user experience while making a call to a special number.

[0078] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method [300] for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, the method [300] comprising: ^ receiving, by a transceiver unit [202], an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers; ^ retrieving, by an identification unit [204], a location identifier of a calling party; ^ identifying, by the identification unit [204], a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status; ^ performing, by an analysis unit [206], a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status; ^ determining, by a determination unit [208], an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and ^ routing, by a routing unit [210], the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

2. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving, by the transceiver unit [202], the indication of the call comprises: ^ receiving, by the transceiver unit [202], a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite, wherein the SIP invite is received upon initiation of the call from the calling party to the called party.

3. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the routing, by the routing unit [210], the call from the origination location to the destination, is based on one of: ^ a destination defined in a home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location; and ^ the destination defined in a default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the roaming location.

4. The method [300] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the routing, by the routing unit [210], the call from the origination location to a destination, is based on:^ the destination defined in the default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination in the home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table for routing the call is undefined.

5. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the search procedure comprises searching, by the analysis unit [206], the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party.

6. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification unit [204] retrieves the location identifier of the calling party from a local database.

7. A system [200] for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, the system [200] comprising: ^ a transceiver unit [202] configured to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers; ^ an identification unit [204] connected to at least the transceiver unit [202], the identification unit [204] configured to: o retrieve a location identifier of a calling party; and o identify a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status; ^ an analysis unit [206] connected to at least the identification unit [204], the analysis unit [206] configured to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status; ^ a determination unit [208] connected to at least the analysis unit [206], the determination unit [208] configured to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and ^ a routing unit [210] connected to at least the determination unit [208], the routing unit [210] configured to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

8. The system [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein to receive the indication of the call, the transceiver unit [202] is configured to:^ receive a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite, wherein the SIP invite is received upon initiation of the call from the calling party to the called party.

9. The system [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the routing unit [210] is configured to route the call from the origination location to the destination, based on one of: ^ a destination defined in a home P-Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location; and ^ a destination defined in a default PVNI table in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the roaming location.

10. The system [200] as claimed in claim 9, wherein the routing unit [210] is configured to route the call from the origination location to the destination, based on: ^ a destination defined in the default PVNI table, in an event the origination location of the calling party is determined as the home location, and the destination in the home P- Visited-Network-Identifier (PVNI) table for routing the call is undefined.

11. The system [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein for performing the search procedure, the analysis unit [206] is configured to search the destination for the called party, based on a routing definition related to the called party.

12. The system [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the identification unit [204] retrieves the location identifier of the calling party from a local database.

13. The system [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the system resides in a converged telephony application server (CTAS).

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instruction for optimizing routing of a call related to a special number in a pre-defined list of special numbers, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: - a transceiver unit [202] of the system to receive an indication of the call related to the special number in the pre-defined list of special numbers; - an identification unit [204] of the system: o to retrieve a location identifier of a calling party; ando to identify a status of a called party, wherein the status of the called party is one of a national toll free (NTF) number status, and an international toll free (ITF) number status; - an analysis unit [206] of the system to perform a search procedure in an event the status of the called party is identified as one of the NTF number status, and the ITF number status - a determination unit [208] of the system to determine an origination location of the calling party, wherein the origination location of the calling party is one of a home location, and a roaming location; and - a routing unit [210] of the system to route the call from the origination location to a destination, based on the determination of the origination location of the calling party.

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