Number Portability Referral System for Seamless Carrier Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in changing service providers or locations while retaining their telephone number, as existing systems often fail to seamlessly transition phone numbers across multiple carrier networks without a change in the number.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing local number portability by establishing a session between origination and destination user agents over packet-switched networks, using referral computer systems to route calls to the new service provider and map numbers to dynamic IP addresses, allowing users to keep their telephone number regardless of service provider changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user switches service providers, then the user can access new service features and potentially better service quality, but the user must change to a new telephone number which creates inconvenience and requires updating contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a number portability system that acts as an intermediary between the old and new service providers. This system intercepts calls directed to the user's original number, identifies the ported number, and reroutes the call to the new service provider's network, thereby mediating the transition without requiring the user to change their number
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the telephone numbering system from the service provider network by introducing a separate number portability management layer. This allows the telephone number to be decoupled from the service provider infrastructure, enabling users to switch providers while retaining their original number through the segmented portability system
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system implements number portability across multiple carrier networks, then users can retain their telephone number when switching providers, but the system complexity increases due to the need for routing management and database coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The number portability system serves as a central intermediary that manages routing information and coordinates between multiple carrier networks. By concentrating the complexity in this dedicated intermediary system rather than requiring each carrier to implement complex inter-carrier routing logic, the overall system complexity is managed more efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the number portability database receives updates from carriers about ported numbers and uses this information to dynamically adjust call routing. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing routing requirements without manual reconfiguration, managing complexity through automated information exchange
3Reliability
If calls are routed through a number portability system, then calls can be successfully delivered to users who have switched service providers, but the call establishment time increases due to additional routing lookups and referrals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing routing information in the number portability database before calls are placed. When a user ports their number, the routing information is immediately updated and stored, so that subsequent calls can be routed efficiently without requiring real-time complex queries, thus reducing call establishment time while maintaining reliable delivery
Data Source
AI summary
A system for and method of providing local number portability is presented. A request may be received to establish a session between an origination user agent and a destination user agent. The request may comprise a destination user agent identifier. It may be determined whether the destination user agent identifier was ported from one service provider to another. If so, routing information may be provided for establishing the session through the second service provider rather than through the first service provider. The session may be established over one or more Internet protocol networks.