Gateway Failure Message Enhancement for Incomplete Dialing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP telephony systems face inefficiencies in handling calls with incomplete or invalid numbers, particularly due to limitations in differentiating between incomplete and invalid numbers, leading to labor-intensive manual interventions and suboptimal network performance.
Innovation Solution
Enhancing failure messages in IP telecommunications networks with an indication of the reason for failure and optional recommendations, allowing gateways to take alternative actions such as retrying with additional digits or converting overlap to en bloc signaling, thereby improving call processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peer query is used to resolve incomplete numbers, then call routing capability is improved, but call completion reliability deteriorates due to timeout failures
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary actions by collecting additional digits before attempting address resolution. Instead of immediately querying peers with incomplete numbers, the system waits for more digits to be dialed, thereby improving the likelihood of successful call completion while maintaining routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from address resolution attempts to determine whether to collect more digits or proceed with peer query. When resolution fails, the gateway can request additional digits from the calling party, using this feedback loop to improve call completion reliability while preserving routing flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If default route to answering position is used for invalid numbers, then call handling capability is improved, but labor efficiency deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically collecting additional digits from the calling party and attempting address resolution again, rather than immediately transferring to a human operator. This automated retry mechanism improves labor efficiency while maintaining comprehensive call handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs preliminary digit collection and address resolution attempts before defaulting to manual intervention. By collecting additional digits and retrying resolution in advance, the system reduces the number of calls requiring manual operator intervention, thereby improving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If overlap signaling is supported, then protocol compatibility is improved, but call resolution reliability deteriorates when peer GK does not support overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary by collecting all overlap digits locally and then performing a single en bloc address resolution request to the peer gatekeeper. This mediation approach maintains protocol compatibility while ensuring reliable call resolution even when the peer GK does not support overlap signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs preliminary collection of all overlap digits before sending the address resolution request to the peer gatekeeper. By gathering complete numbering information in advance, the system ensures reliable call resolution regardless of whether the peer GK supports overlap signaling.
4Measurement precision
If digits are held until fully dialled, then number completeness is improved, but network performance deteriorates due to call holding delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from address resolution attempts to determine whether to hold for more digits or proceed with call setup. When resolution succeeds with available digits, the call is immediately connected without holding delay. When resolution fails, the system then collects additional digits, minimizing unnecessary delays while ensuring number completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway attempts address resolution with partial digit information available, rather than waiting for complete numbering. This partial action approach reduces call holding delays while maintaining number completeness through conditional collection of additional digits only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Calls which fail in the ways described above will typically result in a server (GK, MGC, RS or Ps for example) in the network issuing a failure message. This message typically provides one of two options; call forwarding to a central answering position or call clearing. The message does not allow for any more intelligent decisions to be taken and information about the reason for failure is irretrievably lost. By enhancing the message with an indication of the reason for failure and an optional recommendation for handling, the processing of such failed calls may be improved. For example, a gateway which receives the failure message may simply act in the usual way and either forward or clear the call. However with the enhanced indication, it may instead choose to carry out alternative actions such as collect more digits and retry at end of dial. If overlap signalling is being provided and the IP cloud is not fully overlap compatible, the gateway might also do an overlap to en bloc conversion. Another option is to collect at least one more digit and retry the call. This typically works well if overlap signalling is not used.