Softswitch Call Routing for Multi-Service Telephony
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-service telecommunications networks require users to have multiple telephone numbers for different carrier services, leading to inconvenience and complexity in routing calls between circuit-switched and packet-based networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that maintain a store of telephony party identifiers for multi-service users, allowing calls to be routed through an alternate service without passing through the packet-based network, by monitoring and modifying signaling information to use an alternate telephony service identifier, thereby simplifying call routing and billing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple telephone numbers are assigned to multi-service users for different carrier services, then call routing between circuit-switched and packet-based networks is enabled, but user convenience deteriorates and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a softswitch as an intermediary entity that manages the mapping between multiple telephony party identifiers (TPIs) and a single service number. The softswitch receives calls addressed to the service number, looks up the corresponding TPIs in a database, and routes them to the appropriate carrier network (circuit-switched or packet-based). This mediator eliminates the need for users to manually manage multiple numbers while enabling flexible call routing across different networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal service number that can be used across multiple carrier services (circuit-switched and packet-based). The softswitch enables this service number to serve multiple functions by dynamically resolving which carrier network should handle the call based on the destination and available resources. This universal approach replaces the traditional model where different numbers are required for different services, simplifying the user experience while maintaining routing flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple telephony party identifiers are maintained for multi-service users, then routing flexibility is improved, but signaling information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a database mapping between service numbers and telephony party identifiers before calls occur. When a call arrives for a service number, the softswitch queries the pre-configured database to retrieve the appropriate TPIs, eliminating the need for real-time complex decision-making. This preliminary configuration simplifies the signaling processing during actual call routing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The softswitch acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of managing multiple TPIs. Instead of requiring complex processing at every network element, the softswitch handles the TPI resolution and routing decisions centrally, simplifying the overall signaling architecture. The softswitch receives the service number, resolves the TPI mapping, and forwards the call with the appropriate identifier to the target network.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calls must pass through packet-based network for routing, then network integration is improved, but call routing simplicity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic call routing where the path taken by a call is not fixed but adapts based on real-time conditions. The softswitch dynamically decides whether to route a call through the packet-based network or directly via circuit-switched network based on factors like network availability, call characteristics, and current traffic conditions. This dynamic approach maintains strong network integration while preserving routing simplicity from the user's perspective, as the complexity of choosing paths is automated.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing telephone calls in a packet-based telephony service is disclosed. A store of telephone party identifiers is maintained for multi-service users having access to the packet-based telephony service and an alternate telephony service. Incoming signaling information for telephone calls in the packet-based telephony service is monitored and outgoing signaling information may be altered with reference to the store. An alteration may involve replacing telephony party identification data associated with one telephony service for telephony party identification data associated with another telephony service. The invention allows a multi-service user to be consistently identified by other telephony users by a single telephony party identifier instead of one telephony party identifier for each service they subscribe to. Further, a multi-service user can be identified at the call destination by a single telephony party identifier, irrespective of which telephony service is used to make the call.