Remote Terminal Call Control via Translations Database Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote terminals in wireline telephony systems are unable to operate in stand-alone mode without a 'forklift' replacement or reconfiguration of infrastructure, and maintaining a synchronized translations database is costly and time-consuming, leading to service disruptions when the control connection to the local switching office is lost.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a control module, a translations database, and a switching fabric connected via a trunk interface unit, which intercepts control signals and performs call processing independently, allowing the remote terminal to maintain service without modifying existing infrastructure, and updates are managed through a remote terminal OA&M interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a remote terminal operates in stand-alone mode without forklift replacement, then cost is reduced and infrastructure modification is minimized, but the translations database cannot be kept synchronized with the controlling switching system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing translation data changes at the OA&M interface before they are applied at the remote terminal. The OA&M interface monitors and intercepts translation data changes from the controlling switching system, allowing the remote terminal to proactively update its local translations database with captured changes, ensuring synchronization without requiring forklift replacement or infrastructure modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The OA&M interface acts as an intermediary between the controlling switching system and the remote terminal's translations database. It captures translation data changes at the interface level and selectively forwards relevant changes to the remote terminal, serving as a mediator that enables database synchronization without direct integration or expensive infrastructure modifications.
2Loss of information
If manual updating of translations database records is performed, then database synchronization can be achieved, but the process is prohibitively expensive, time consuming and not performed as quickly as updates are applied at the controlling central office
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the OA&M interface continuously monitor the controlling switching system for translation data changes. When changes are detected, the interface automatically captures and forwards these changes to the remote terminal, creating a feedback loop that ensures the translations database remains synchronized without manual intervention. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the delays and costs associated with manual updating.
3Reliability
If the control connection between remote terminal and local switching office is lost, then service continuity is disrupted, but adding switching capabilities to enable stand-alone operation increases equipment cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by separating the switching fabric functionality from the remote terminal equipment. Instead of integrating switching capabilities directly into the remote terminal (which would increase complexity), the patent segments the system so that the switching fabric remains at the controlling switching system while the remote terminal maintains a simplified translations database for stand-alone operation. This segmentation allows service continuity without adding complexity to the remote terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by creating a local copy of the translations database at the remote terminal. This copy contains the necessary routing information to enable stand-alone call processing when the control connection is lost. The OA&M interface ensures this copy is kept synchronized with the controlling switching system, allowing the remote terminal to operate independently without requiring complex switching equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A call control system comprising a control module, a translations database and a switching fabric are connected to a trunk group between a remote terminal and its controlling local switching office. The call control system monitors control signals from the switching office on the trunk. In the event of loss of control signals, the call control system intercepts requests for service, etc. from a calling telephone connected to the remote terminal and performs a look up in the translation database. If the call can be completed without the controlling switching office the call is looped back to the remote terminal. The translation database is maintained by a remote terminal OA&M interface that receives change orders from the local exchange carrier. The remote terminal OA&M interface forwards relevant changes to the call control system's translation database.