Network Assisting Switch Function for Class-4 Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Class-4 switches are becoming unpopular and costly to deploy due to the high initial replacement cost, limiting the ability to provide advanced service offerings in communication networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a packet network to provide a network assisting switch function, allowing for temporary connections to handle service processing and call control, expanding service capabilities beyond what Class-4 switches can offer alone by integrating with IP networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Class-4 switches are deployed to provide service processing and call control, then service capabilities are maintained, but deployment costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capabilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that enables interaction between the packet network and switched network. This gateway allows the packet network to provide switching services to Class-5 switches without requiring direct integration, thus maintaining service capabilities while reducing the need for expensive Class-4 switch deployments. The gateway acts as a mediator that translates and routes calls between different network types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a virtual Class-4 switch in the packet network that replicates the switching functionality of physical Class-4 switches. Instead of deploying expensive hardware Class-4 switches, the system creates a virtual representation that provides the same service processing and call control capabilities through software-based switching in the packet network, significantly reducing deployment costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If Class-4 switches are replaced with packet network solutions, then deployment costs decrease, but service processing capabilities may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment costVSAvoidservice processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal switching system where the packet network with virtual Class-4 switch functionality can serve multiple purposes: handling traditional switching tasks, providing advanced services, and supporting both Class-5 and Class-4 network architectures. This multi-functional approach ensures that deployment costs are reduced while service processing capabilities are maintained or enhanced through the flexible nature of packet network switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9584561B2Method and apparatus for providing a network assisting switch function

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for providing a network assisting switch function are disclosed. For example, the method receives a query for feature processing for a call from a switch deployed in a switched network, and determines if the feature processing for the call requires one or more switching services. The method determines if the switch is able to provide the one or more switching services, if the one or more switching services are determined to be required, and initiates a temporary connection to a network assisting switch function in a packet network, if the switch is unable to provide the one or more switching services.