Global Signaling Code for VoIP Call Treatment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VoIP technologies, such as SIP, lack robust functionality for call processing, particularly in selecting call treatments, which are typically determined by the called party rather than the caller, limiting caller control over call routing and treatment.
Innovation Solution
Attaching a Global Signaling Code (GSC) to a telephone number that includes a geographic indicator and a treatment indicator, allowing the caller to specify desired call treatments, such as voice mail avoidance or preferred compression schemes, enabling dynamic routing and handling of calls based on these indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SIP protocol is used for VoIP call processing, then call setup and multimedia session control is enabled, but caller control over call treatment selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the call treatment selection process by separating the treatment indicator from the called party number. The treatment indicator is transmitted separately in a P-AI header field, allowing the caller to specify desired call treatments independently of the destination number. This segmentation enables caller control while maintaining SIP protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (P-AI header field and associated processing logic) that carries treatment indicators between the caller and call processing system. This intermediary allows treatment information to be transmitted through the SIP signaling path without requiring changes to the core SIP protocol, thus enabling enhanced functionality while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If global signaling codes are attached to telephone numbers, then call routing and treatment control is improved, but signaling message complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing P-AI header field universal by enabling it to carry treatment indicators for various call treatments (voice mail avoidance, compression schemes, etc.). This multi-functionality allows a single signaling mechanism to handle multiple call treatment scenarios without increasing message structure complexity, thereby improving call processing efficiency while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being carried in the P-AI header field from traditional service information to treatment indicators. This parameter change enables the signaling message to convey call treatment preferences without requiring structural modifications, thus improving productivity while minimizing complexity increases.
3Reliability
If treatment indicators are transmitted in SIP signaling, then caller preferences are preserved, but network provisioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where callers automatically include their treatment preferences in the SIP INVITE message via the P-AI header field. The called party's device or carrier automatically processes these indicators without requiring manual provisioning or configuration. This self-service mechanism preserves caller preferences while minimizing network provisioning complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, embodiments of the present invention involve attaching (e.g., pre-fixing) a Global Signaling Code (GSC) to a called party's telephone number thereby creating a modified Uniform Resource Indicator (URI). This modified URI is then sent in the “TO:” header of a SIP INVITE. The GSC will typically include a geographic indicator corresponding to a geographic location of a caller and a treatment indicator corresponding to a desired treatment of the call. The call will be routed based on the geographic indicator and treated according to the treatment indicator. Illustrative treatments for the call include (among others) voice mail avoidance, a preferred compression scheme for the call, etc.