CA2078599C - Method and apparatus for monitoring a network for customer signaling during the term of a call - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for monitoring a network for customer signaling during the term of a callInfo
- Publication number
- CA2078599C CA2078599C CA002078599A CA2078599A CA2078599C CA 2078599 C CA2078599 C CA 2078599C CA 002078599 A CA002078599 A CA 002078599A CA 2078599 A CA2078599 A CA 2078599A CA 2078599 C CA2078599 C CA 2078599C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- network
- signaling
- call
- accordance
- switch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
Abstract
A network monitor and associated control system is provided to monitor a toll network for customer signaling. A multi-tone signal processor and associated control is provided such that when signaling is detected, such signaling is validated against a provisioned list. A valid signal is reported to a central control of the network switch, which takes action in response to the signal.
Description
2078~99 ME~HOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A NETWORK FOR
CUSTOMER SIGNALING DURING THE TERM OF A CALL
Technical Field This invention relates to the field of teleco."--u~l-ications networks, and 5 more specifically, to a method and appa~atus for detecting customer signaling on the network during the term of a network call and providing access to network services responsive thereto.
Back~round of the I..~..li~..
Teleco.-.,....~-ications may be described as increasingly "feature rich."
10 That is, there is an ever increasing array of features and services available to individual and business telephone subscribers. Many of the popular features, such as three-way calling, call rul ~valdillg and speed calling, are implementecl at a local telephone switching system. Such features are generally initiated by the user signaling the local switch. For example, to set up a three-way call a user establishes 15 a first call, flashes the switch-hook to signal the switch that three-way calling is desired, and then dials the telephone number of the third party. In response, the local switch sets up a three-way circuit.
In contrast to such locally provided features, network (also called toll or long ~ t:~n~e) teleco-------~-ic~tions suppo,l~ a different type of features and/or 20 services. Basic network teleco,.""...lir~tion~ access is achieved through l+ and 0+
calls; wherein 0+ calls provide a variety of credit card or operator ~si~tecl features.
Other network telecoll~.u-lications services (such as "800", "900" and software defined network) require that the user initi~tes these services by dialing a special 10 digit number. The toll switch recognizes the dialed number as a special number, 25 performs a data base look-up (frequently based on both the dialed number and the calling line identification or "ANI"), and t~kes action according to the data retrieved from the data base.
At least one new feature has recently been proposed for network telecol.-.-...~-ications that require the toll switch to recognize custom~r signaling: U.S.
30 Patent No. 4,932,042 entitled Spontaneous Voice and Data Messaging which issued June 5, 1990, to Baral et al. This feature provides a calling party with the option of leaving a voice mail mçc~ge after determining that the called party is busy or not answering. After a call is established, the calling party enters a series of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signals and, in response, the toll switch routes the calling 35 party to a voice messaging system. There is currently no implemented DTMF
detector in toll switches capable of intercepting and tr~n~l~ting these customer 2`D7859-9 signals during the entire call for every call through the switch.
Another proposed network feature is sequence dialing, wherein a user may dial a second destination telephone number after a first connection is terminated without hanging up. This feature is useful for callers from pay telephones, credit card 5 callers, or callers from other countries who have entered identification and billing information into the system, and need to make multiple calls. After the first called party disconnects, the caller enters one or more DTMF digits or other signals which cause the network switch to maintain the connection and then accept a new destination telephone number.
Therefore, a problem in the art is that there is no capability in network switches that can recognize customer signaling for the entire length of a network call, from pre-answer to post disconnect, for all calls in the network upon which a feature rich network may be built.
Summary of the Invention The aforementioned problem is solved and a technical advance is achieved in the art by providing in a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected to said network switches, and a plurality of network monitors each under the control of one of said network switches and connected in pairs to respective opposite ends of one of said channels, each of said 20 network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of: receiving a call origination from an identified calling line on said one channel at a first of said plurality of network switches, said first network switch determining that said identified calling line subscribes to network services, said first network switch enabling said 25 multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors to monitor said channel for signaling during a period from a call set-up continuing throughout aconnection of said identified calling line and a terminating line, and ending upon a termination of the call by said identified calling line, a second of said pair of network monitors canceling echoes of said signaling; said one of said pair of network monitors 30 reporting said signaling to said first network switch in response to its detection of signaling; and said first network switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels.
~d~'~
~,.~-' In accordance with one embodiment, the invention provides in a network switching system comprising one or more network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected under control of said one or more network switches, and a plurality of network monitors under the control of each of said one or more network switches and 5 connected, in pairs to said channels, each of said network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of: receiving a call origination on one of said channels at an originating one of said one or more network switches, and call origination comprising a destination number and an identification of a calling line; said originating 10 switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor of one of said pair of network monitors connected to said originating channel to monitor said channel for sign~ling;
another of said pair of network monitors canceling echo of said signaling; in response to said signaling, said one of said one or more network monitors reporting said signaling to said originating switch; and said originating switch providing access to 15 network services for said one of said channels in response to verifying that said calling line may have access to network services.
The invention also provides a network monitor comprising: signal detection means connected to a call path at a call origination network switch for detecting signals communicated on said call path through said call origination network switch 20 and through a call destination network switch; echo cancellation means connected to said call path in conjunction with said sign:~ling detection means for canceling echoes of signaling from said call destination network switch; and controller means connected to said signaling detector means responsive to said signaling detection means for determining validity of said detected signals and for initiating network services 25 responsive to ones of said signals determined to be valid.
Optionally, either the calling or the called party may initiate features by signaling the network monitor. The network monitor may advantageously be active during the full duration of the call. Additionally, out-of-band signaling may bemonitored for feature requests. The network monitors may be activated by a timer or 30 by out-of-band signaling.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
.
~' - 3a -FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone network showing a toll switch equipped with network monitors;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of network monitors in the network of 5 FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the network monitor of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the network monitor of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5 through 9 are block diagrams of several network configurations 10 alternate to FIG. 2, showing the relationship between an active network monitor as described in FIG. I and the network;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of actions performed by the toll switch of FIG. 1 in monitoring the network for in-band and out-of band signaling; and FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of actions performed by the network monitors of 15 FIGS. I through 9 for a typical call requiring monitoring for in-band signaling.
,~
2~71~599 Detailed Description FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone network 100, incorporating an exemplary embodiment of this invention. A customer at calling telephone 101 with a given directory number wishes to reach a called telephone 102 with a second 5 directory number. The calling party dials the number of the called party, which is determined by a local switch in local network 103 as a long distance or network call.
Local network 103 extends the call to toll network 104 by seizing an access trunk or channel lOS, as is known in the art, to toll switch 106. The call is received at toll switch 106 by a switching network 108.
In a first exemplary embodiment of this invention, a network monitor 107 is connected to access trunk lOS between local network 103 and switching network 108. The calling customer's telephone number is forwarded fromlocal network via Automatic Number IdentificatiQn (ANI) signals, or common channel signaling (not shown). Central control unit 109 of toll switch 106 15 determines whether this access trunk needs to be Illonilul~,d by looking up the received ANI in table 110 and de~el...;,-ing if that ANI is associated with one or more features or services. ~ltern~tively, all calls can be monitored for sign~ling and then the use of the feature or service may be v~ te~l when ~ign~ling is detected or when a signal is received on the ~ign~ling channel. This would be useful, for 20 example, when a call is made from CPE 120, and CPE 120 permits the caller to use network features. If the calling or called customer is one that may use special features, network monitor 107 is enabled to lllonilol the call. Toll switch 106 sets up a connection over toll network 104 through network monitor 107 to local network 111 via toll switch 112. Called telephone 102 is then alerted by local 25 network 111.
Monitoring access trunk lOS may not be desirable in all cases.
Therefore, ~onitoling the network is perforrned in a fur~ther exemplary embodiment on the intertoll side of switching network 108. In this embodiment, outgoing trunk 135 is selected and then network monitor 113 is activated on outgoing trunk 30 135.
The calling or called party may, at any time after the network monitor 107, 113, or 131 is activated, signal toll switch 106 to provide a feature or a service. For example, a proposed feature that may use this invention is Spontaneous Voice Messaging, as described in the above-cited Baral et al. patent. After the call is 35 extended to telephone 102, and, for example, the called party does not answer, the calling party may enter a predetermined string, such as *vms (*867 or *Voice 207~599 Message Service). Network monitor 107, 113, or 131 detects the signal string, tr~n~l~tes the string into a token or code, and fc,lwalds the signal to the central control 109 of toll switch 106. Central control 109 may then disconnect the callfrom local network 111 and reconnect the call to a voice message service, as S described more fully in Baral et al.
Additionally, the calling party may signal the toll switch 106 after the called party disconnects (hangs up). Again, this feature is useful for calling parties calling from pay phones who have already entered credit card in~c,llllation or for international callers who do not want to release the int~rn~ional trunk. The calling 10 party enters a further predet~rmined string, network monitor 107, 113, or 131 detects the signal, tr~n~l~tes the string into a token or code, and fol w~-ls the signal to central control 109 of toll switch 106. Toll switch 106 then recognizes the nextstring as a new destin~tion telephone number, and sets up another call.
Increasingly, common channel signaling is provided for access to and 15 egress from the toll network. For example, cll~tomer premise equipment, such as PBX 120, includes a ~ign~ling connection 121 to central control 109 of toll switch 106. Additionally, some local nelwclks, such as local network 125 have a signaling connection 126 to toll switch 106 via signaling network and signaling transfer point (not shown), as is known in the art. For connections involving 20 common channel signQling, central control 109 monitors the signaling network 137 for signaling from the calling party, such as PBX 120, to indicate connection offeatures.
Toll switch 106, which in the plc~lled embodiment is a 4 ESS
switch manufactured by AT&T Technologies and described in The Bell System 25 Technical Journal, Vol. 56, No. 7, pages 1015-1320, September 1977, is program controlled. It includes a central control 109 comprising central processing unit 115 and memory 116. Memory 116 includes a program 117~ whose action with respect to the nclw~nk lllonitor 113 or 131 are described in connection with FIG. 10.
Memory 116 also contains call records 118 for mslint~ining data associated with calls 30 in the system, and a table 110 of directory numbers (ANIs) of those customers who have subscribed to nelwolk features and services. Central control 109 is connected via si~n~ling network 137 to the other toll ~wilches in toll network.
In-band customer-initi~t~ signaling on the network is primarily dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signals from touch tone telephone station sets such as 35 telephone 101. Network monitors may also monitor for network-initiated signaling, such as ringing, busy, call progress, etc. Therefore, network monitors 107 and 113 2~78~:9 comprise a plurality of multi-tone signal processors 131 connected to a control unit 132. Multi-tone signal processors 131 receive data from trunks 135 and determine whether the data received is a recognized signal, such as a DTMF string, a busy signal, or ringing; as is known in the art. If one of multi-tone signal 5 processors 131 determines that a signal has been received, the signal is sent to control unit 132. Control unit 132 collects signals from multi-tone signal processors 131 and p~lrc~ s timing, verification and l~pcl~ing functions, as will be described below in conn~lion with FMS. 9 and 10.
In the plcrcll~d embo lim~nt, each network monitor will monitor the 10 voice path of either (or both) the calling and the called party for in-band signaling.
Each network monitor will be capable of monitoring all 24 DSOs within a DS 1, both calling and called parties simlllt~neously. Multi-tone signal processors 131 may be directed by its control unit 132 to disable signal processing when monitoring is not activated.
Since most toll ~wi~ches handle several DSls, there will be many network lllonilols for each toll switch. In order to control all of the network lllonitol~ for any toll switch from one central control, the network monitors are connected to a transaction network, in the preferred embodiment, LAN 139.
LAN 139 provides two-way co,.~",.~-ication between all of the network monitors in 20 the toll switch and controller 140. Controller 140 is connected to processor 115 via bus 130, as is known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of this invention in the context of a telephone n~wolk showing the relationship among the network monitor and the ~wi~ches. In a first exemplary embodiment, telephone 20125 places a call to local exchange carrier 202 which sends the call to originating switch 203. Origin~ting switch 203 determines that this caller subscribes to network services and, as a result, activates network monitor 204 for this call on the incoming trunk, on the access side of originating switch 203. It is advantageous to have a network monitor on the access side of the switch so that the channel may be 30 monitored while the call is being set up and routed to the ~estin~sion telephone. This provides monitoring in situations when calls cannot be completed to the terminating switch bec~me, for example, a trunk group is busy. In this exemplary embodiment,the call is connected through the network to termin~ting switch 205. Termin~tingswitch 205 routes the call through network monitor 206 and to local exchange 207.
35 Local exchange 207 routes the call to telephone 208.
2078~9~
CUSTOMER SIGNALING DURING THE TERM OF A CALL
Technical Field This invention relates to the field of teleco."--u~l-ications networks, and 5 more specifically, to a method and appa~atus for detecting customer signaling on the network during the term of a network call and providing access to network services responsive thereto.
Back~round of the I..~..li~..
Teleco.-.,....~-ications may be described as increasingly "feature rich."
10 That is, there is an ever increasing array of features and services available to individual and business telephone subscribers. Many of the popular features, such as three-way calling, call rul ~valdillg and speed calling, are implementecl at a local telephone switching system. Such features are generally initiated by the user signaling the local switch. For example, to set up a three-way call a user establishes 15 a first call, flashes the switch-hook to signal the switch that three-way calling is desired, and then dials the telephone number of the third party. In response, the local switch sets up a three-way circuit.
In contrast to such locally provided features, network (also called toll or long ~ t:~n~e) teleco-------~-ic~tions suppo,l~ a different type of features and/or 20 services. Basic network teleco,.""...lir~tion~ access is achieved through l+ and 0+
calls; wherein 0+ calls provide a variety of credit card or operator ~si~tecl features.
Other network telecoll~.u-lications services (such as "800", "900" and software defined network) require that the user initi~tes these services by dialing a special 10 digit number. The toll switch recognizes the dialed number as a special number, 25 performs a data base look-up (frequently based on both the dialed number and the calling line identification or "ANI"), and t~kes action according to the data retrieved from the data base.
At least one new feature has recently been proposed for network telecol.-.-...~-ications that require the toll switch to recognize custom~r signaling: U.S.
30 Patent No. 4,932,042 entitled Spontaneous Voice and Data Messaging which issued June 5, 1990, to Baral et al. This feature provides a calling party with the option of leaving a voice mail mçc~ge after determining that the called party is busy or not answering. After a call is established, the calling party enters a series of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signals and, in response, the toll switch routes the calling 35 party to a voice messaging system. There is currently no implemented DTMF
detector in toll switches capable of intercepting and tr~n~l~ting these customer 2`D7859-9 signals during the entire call for every call through the switch.
Another proposed network feature is sequence dialing, wherein a user may dial a second destination telephone number after a first connection is terminated without hanging up. This feature is useful for callers from pay telephones, credit card 5 callers, or callers from other countries who have entered identification and billing information into the system, and need to make multiple calls. After the first called party disconnects, the caller enters one or more DTMF digits or other signals which cause the network switch to maintain the connection and then accept a new destination telephone number.
Therefore, a problem in the art is that there is no capability in network switches that can recognize customer signaling for the entire length of a network call, from pre-answer to post disconnect, for all calls in the network upon which a feature rich network may be built.
Summary of the Invention The aforementioned problem is solved and a technical advance is achieved in the art by providing in a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected to said network switches, and a plurality of network monitors each under the control of one of said network switches and connected in pairs to respective opposite ends of one of said channels, each of said 20 network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of: receiving a call origination from an identified calling line on said one channel at a first of said plurality of network switches, said first network switch determining that said identified calling line subscribes to network services, said first network switch enabling said 25 multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors to monitor said channel for signaling during a period from a call set-up continuing throughout aconnection of said identified calling line and a terminating line, and ending upon a termination of the call by said identified calling line, a second of said pair of network monitors canceling echoes of said signaling; said one of said pair of network monitors 30 reporting said signaling to said first network switch in response to its detection of signaling; and said first network switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels.
~d~'~
~,.~-' In accordance with one embodiment, the invention provides in a network switching system comprising one or more network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected under control of said one or more network switches, and a plurality of network monitors under the control of each of said one or more network switches and 5 connected, in pairs to said channels, each of said network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of: receiving a call origination on one of said channels at an originating one of said one or more network switches, and call origination comprising a destination number and an identification of a calling line; said originating 10 switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor of one of said pair of network monitors connected to said originating channel to monitor said channel for sign~ling;
another of said pair of network monitors canceling echo of said signaling; in response to said signaling, said one of said one or more network monitors reporting said signaling to said originating switch; and said originating switch providing access to 15 network services for said one of said channels in response to verifying that said calling line may have access to network services.
The invention also provides a network monitor comprising: signal detection means connected to a call path at a call origination network switch for detecting signals communicated on said call path through said call origination network switch 20 and through a call destination network switch; echo cancellation means connected to said call path in conjunction with said sign:~ling detection means for canceling echoes of signaling from said call destination network switch; and controller means connected to said signaling detector means responsive to said signaling detection means for determining validity of said detected signals and for initiating network services 25 responsive to ones of said signals determined to be valid.
Optionally, either the calling or the called party may initiate features by signaling the network monitor. The network monitor may advantageously be active during the full duration of the call. Additionally, out-of-band signaling may bemonitored for feature requests. The network monitors may be activated by a timer or 30 by out-of-band signaling.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
.
~' - 3a -FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone network showing a toll switch equipped with network monitors;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of network monitors in the network of 5 FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the network monitor of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the network monitor of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5 through 9 are block diagrams of several network configurations 10 alternate to FIG. 2, showing the relationship between an active network monitor as described in FIG. I and the network;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of actions performed by the toll switch of FIG. 1 in monitoring the network for in-band and out-of band signaling; and FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of actions performed by the network monitors of 15 FIGS. I through 9 for a typical call requiring monitoring for in-band signaling.
,~
2~71~599 Detailed Description FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone network 100, incorporating an exemplary embodiment of this invention. A customer at calling telephone 101 with a given directory number wishes to reach a called telephone 102 with a second 5 directory number. The calling party dials the number of the called party, which is determined by a local switch in local network 103 as a long distance or network call.
Local network 103 extends the call to toll network 104 by seizing an access trunk or channel lOS, as is known in the art, to toll switch 106. The call is received at toll switch 106 by a switching network 108.
In a first exemplary embodiment of this invention, a network monitor 107 is connected to access trunk lOS between local network 103 and switching network 108. The calling customer's telephone number is forwarded fromlocal network via Automatic Number IdentificatiQn (ANI) signals, or common channel signaling (not shown). Central control unit 109 of toll switch 106 15 determines whether this access trunk needs to be Illonilul~,d by looking up the received ANI in table 110 and de~el...;,-ing if that ANI is associated with one or more features or services. ~ltern~tively, all calls can be monitored for sign~ling and then the use of the feature or service may be v~ te~l when ~ign~ling is detected or when a signal is received on the ~ign~ling channel. This would be useful, for 20 example, when a call is made from CPE 120, and CPE 120 permits the caller to use network features. If the calling or called customer is one that may use special features, network monitor 107 is enabled to lllonilol the call. Toll switch 106 sets up a connection over toll network 104 through network monitor 107 to local network 111 via toll switch 112. Called telephone 102 is then alerted by local 25 network 111.
Monitoring access trunk lOS may not be desirable in all cases.
Therefore, ~onitoling the network is perforrned in a fur~ther exemplary embodiment on the intertoll side of switching network 108. In this embodiment, outgoing trunk 135 is selected and then network monitor 113 is activated on outgoing trunk 30 135.
The calling or called party may, at any time after the network monitor 107, 113, or 131 is activated, signal toll switch 106 to provide a feature or a service. For example, a proposed feature that may use this invention is Spontaneous Voice Messaging, as described in the above-cited Baral et al. patent. After the call is 35 extended to telephone 102, and, for example, the called party does not answer, the calling party may enter a predetermined string, such as *vms (*867 or *Voice 207~599 Message Service). Network monitor 107, 113, or 131 detects the signal string, tr~n~l~tes the string into a token or code, and fc,lwalds the signal to the central control 109 of toll switch 106. Central control 109 may then disconnect the callfrom local network 111 and reconnect the call to a voice message service, as S described more fully in Baral et al.
Additionally, the calling party may signal the toll switch 106 after the called party disconnects (hangs up). Again, this feature is useful for calling parties calling from pay phones who have already entered credit card in~c,llllation or for international callers who do not want to release the int~rn~ional trunk. The calling 10 party enters a further predet~rmined string, network monitor 107, 113, or 131 detects the signal, tr~n~l~tes the string into a token or code, and fol w~-ls the signal to central control 109 of toll switch 106. Toll switch 106 then recognizes the nextstring as a new destin~tion telephone number, and sets up another call.
Increasingly, common channel signaling is provided for access to and 15 egress from the toll network. For example, cll~tomer premise equipment, such as PBX 120, includes a ~ign~ling connection 121 to central control 109 of toll switch 106. Additionally, some local nelwclks, such as local network 125 have a signaling connection 126 to toll switch 106 via signaling network and signaling transfer point (not shown), as is known in the art. For connections involving 20 common channel signQling, central control 109 monitors the signaling network 137 for signaling from the calling party, such as PBX 120, to indicate connection offeatures.
Toll switch 106, which in the plc~lled embodiment is a 4 ESS
switch manufactured by AT&T Technologies and described in The Bell System 25 Technical Journal, Vol. 56, No. 7, pages 1015-1320, September 1977, is program controlled. It includes a central control 109 comprising central processing unit 115 and memory 116. Memory 116 includes a program 117~ whose action with respect to the nclw~nk lllonitor 113 or 131 are described in connection with FIG. 10.
Memory 116 also contains call records 118 for mslint~ining data associated with calls 30 in the system, and a table 110 of directory numbers (ANIs) of those customers who have subscribed to nelwolk features and services. Central control 109 is connected via si~n~ling network 137 to the other toll ~wilches in toll network.
In-band customer-initi~t~ signaling on the network is primarily dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signals from touch tone telephone station sets such as 35 telephone 101. Network monitors may also monitor for network-initiated signaling, such as ringing, busy, call progress, etc. Therefore, network monitors 107 and 113 2~78~:9 comprise a plurality of multi-tone signal processors 131 connected to a control unit 132. Multi-tone signal processors 131 receive data from trunks 135 and determine whether the data received is a recognized signal, such as a DTMF string, a busy signal, or ringing; as is known in the art. If one of multi-tone signal 5 processors 131 determines that a signal has been received, the signal is sent to control unit 132. Control unit 132 collects signals from multi-tone signal processors 131 and p~lrc~ s timing, verification and l~pcl~ing functions, as will be described below in conn~lion with FMS. 9 and 10.
In the plcrcll~d embo lim~nt, each network monitor will monitor the 10 voice path of either (or both) the calling and the called party for in-band signaling.
Each network monitor will be capable of monitoring all 24 DSOs within a DS 1, both calling and called parties simlllt~neously. Multi-tone signal processors 131 may be directed by its control unit 132 to disable signal processing when monitoring is not activated.
Since most toll ~wi~ches handle several DSls, there will be many network lllonilols for each toll switch. In order to control all of the network lllonitol~ for any toll switch from one central control, the network monitors are connected to a transaction network, in the preferred embodiment, LAN 139.
LAN 139 provides two-way co,.~",.~-ication between all of the network monitors in 20 the toll switch and controller 140. Controller 140 is connected to processor 115 via bus 130, as is known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of this invention in the context of a telephone n~wolk showing the relationship among the network monitor and the ~wi~ches. In a first exemplary embodiment, telephone 20125 places a call to local exchange carrier 202 which sends the call to originating switch 203. Origin~ting switch 203 determines that this caller subscribes to network services and, as a result, activates network monitor 204 for this call on the incoming trunk, on the access side of originating switch 203. It is advantageous to have a network monitor on the access side of the switch so that the channel may be 30 monitored while the call is being set up and routed to the ~estin~sion telephone. This provides monitoring in situations when calls cannot be completed to the terminating switch bec~me, for example, a trunk group is busy. In this exemplary embodiment,the call is connected through the network to termin~ting switch 205. Termin~tingswitch 205 routes the call through network monitor 206 and to local exchange 207.
35 Local exchange 207 routes the call to telephone 208.
2078~9~
Monitor 204 includes, for each channel, an echo canceler 210 on the incoming 211 channel and multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 for each of the incoming and outgoing channels. Multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 detect`
DTMF digits, ringing, busy, and other network signals, as is known in the art. Both 5 multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 report to controller 215. Controller 215co~ unicates with originating toll switch 203 via LAN 216. In each monitor, the echo canceler is on the LEC side of the multi-tone signal processor. This is pl~rell~,d because a DTMF signal from telephone 201, for example, may send a signal to a mollitor 204, but the DTMF signal continues through the network to 10 telephone 208 and reflects back into the network, as is known in the art. Thus multi-tone signal processors 213 and 214 would receive the DTMF signal and its echo and could not, without a fairly complicated algorithm, determine whether the calling or called party l~rigin~t~l the sign~ling The reflection of signals fromtelephone 201 would be canceled by echo c~ncçler 217 in lllonilor 206. Likewise,15 ~ign~ling echos from telephone 208 would be canceled by echo canceler 210. In this manner, multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 in monitor 204 can determine whether signals originated with the calling 201 or called 208 telephone.
Additionally, a message circuit 220 and 221 may be a part of the monitors 204 and 206 to provide prerecorded announcements, synthesized speech, or 20 tones, as is known in the art. Message circuit 220 is under the control of controller 215 and is used to acknowledge a recognized signal sequence, for example. Additionally, mçss~ge circuit 220 may report invalid signal sequences to the users, or provide other announcements or acknowledgements dependent upon thefeature or service.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network monitor of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. In this embodiment, DS l 301 is connected to monitor 302 at a ~rst DS 1 facility interface 303. DS 1 facility interface 303 lem~ll~iplexes the 24 DSOs from DS 1 301. Each DS0 or channel is then connçcte~l to an echo c~n~çler, for example 304, 305. From echo canceler 304, 305, the circuit continues to incoming multi-tone signal processors 306, 307 andoutgoing multi-tone signal processors 308, 309, respectively. Multi-tone signal processors 306 through 309 are connected to controller 310 via a bus 311.
Controller 310 controls all multi-tone signal processors. All DSOs are remultiplexed at a second DSl facility interface 312 and connected to DSl 313.
DTMF digits, ringing, busy, and other network signals, as is known in the art. Both 5 multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 report to controller 215. Controller 215co~ unicates with originating toll switch 203 via LAN 216. In each monitor, the echo canceler is on the LEC side of the multi-tone signal processor. This is pl~rell~,d because a DTMF signal from telephone 201, for example, may send a signal to a mollitor 204, but the DTMF signal continues through the network to 10 telephone 208 and reflects back into the network, as is known in the art. Thus multi-tone signal processors 213 and 214 would receive the DTMF signal and its echo and could not, without a fairly complicated algorithm, determine whether the calling or called party l~rigin~t~l the sign~ling The reflection of signals fromtelephone 201 would be canceled by echo c~ncçler 217 in lllonilor 206. Likewise,15 ~ign~ling echos from telephone 208 would be canceled by echo canceler 210. In this manner, multi-tone signal processors 213, 214 in monitor 204 can determine whether signals originated with the calling 201 or called 208 telephone.
Additionally, a message circuit 220 and 221 may be a part of the monitors 204 and 206 to provide prerecorded announcements, synthesized speech, or 20 tones, as is known in the art. Message circuit 220 is under the control of controller 215 and is used to acknowledge a recognized signal sequence, for example. Additionally, mçss~ge circuit 220 may report invalid signal sequences to the users, or provide other announcements or acknowledgements dependent upon thefeature or service.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network monitor of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. In this embodiment, DS l 301 is connected to monitor 302 at a ~rst DS 1 facility interface 303. DS 1 facility interface 303 lem~ll~iplexes the 24 DSOs from DS 1 301. Each DS0 or channel is then connçcte~l to an echo c~n~çler, for example 304, 305. From echo canceler 304, 305, the circuit continues to incoming multi-tone signal processors 306, 307 andoutgoing multi-tone signal processors 308, 309, respectively. Multi-tone signal processors 306 through 309 are connected to controller 310 via a bus 311.
Controller 310 controls all multi-tone signal processors. All DSOs are remultiplexed at a second DSl facility interface 312 and connected to DSl 313.
Controller 310 also provides timing and verification functions. After a signal is detected, controller 310 stores the signal and sets a timer. Controller 310 COlllpaf~,S the stored signal to a provisioned list of signals to determine if the stored signal is valid. If the signal is valid, controller 310 sends a token or other coded 5 representation of the signal received to central control via the LAN (not shown). If the signal is not valid, and the timer has not expired, controller 310 waits for further signals. If further signals are detected, the process outlined above is repeated. If the timer expires, then the storage buffer is cleared.
Optionally, controller 310 may provide a co~ tion tone or tones to 10 the ~ign~ling party to in-lic~te-l the receipt of a valid signal string through message circuit 314, under the control of the central controller. Controller 310 may also provide anno~lnce.--e.-l~ through message circuit 314 stating that a partially valid signal was received but the timer expired, andlor an announcement of the provision of service.
An ~lt~rn~tive exemplary embodiment of a network monitor according to this invention is shown in FIG. 4. DSl 401 is connected to a network monitor at a DS 1 facility 403, as above. Each DS0 is connected to an echo canceler 404 through 406. Each echo canceler 404 through 406 is time mllltiplexed to a master echo canceler controller 407. Each DS0 is then tapped to a colllnloll multi-tone signal 20 processor 408, which detect signals through time multiplexing each DS0. Multi-tone signal processor 408 reports detected ~ign~ling to controller 409. A common message circuit 412 is connected to each of the DS0, and is under control of thecontroller 409. Each DS0 is then remultiplexed at second DS 1 facility interface 410 toDSl 411.
FIGS. S through 9 illustrate additional exemplary embodiments, alternate to FIG. 2, showing the relationship of the network monitor to several dirrt~ellt network topologies regularly encoun~ d in network teleco~ --ication.
FIG. 5 illustrates a general case of a network call and the relationship between the network monitor and the network. A call is placed by a calling party from telephone station set 501 to a local office in the local exchange carrier (LEC) 502. LEC 502 routes the call to an ori~in~ting toll switch 503. Originating toll switch 503 routes the call, based on traffic and other considerations as known in the art, to a termin~ting toll switch 504. Terminating toll switch 504 routes the call to a destination LEC 505. LEC 505 routes the call to telephone station set 506 for the 35 called party.
- 207~99 While the originating toll switch 503 is routing the call, it is also del~ ~"~ini.-g whether the call is to be Illoni~ored for customer signaling. If so, then originating toll switch 503 causes network monitor 507 to be activated on the intertoll side of originating toll switch 503, between originating toll switch 503 and S the terrnin~ting toll switch 504, in this exemplary embodiment. Network monitor 508 on the intertoll side of termin~ting toll switch 504 is not activated in this l,lcre,lcd embodiment, but one skilled in the art may envision features wherein monitoring from network lllonilor 508 may be advantageous. For example, the userof telephone 506 may subscribe to a feature such as multi-way network calling, 10 wherein the user may signal t~rmin~ting switch 504 to provide a conference circuit.
The echo cancelers in network monitor 508 are always active. If common channel signaling is available at egress and access, as it is when CPE 509 calls CPE 510, then ori in~ting toll switch 503 monitors the signaling network for an indicator of features.
Monitoring on the intertoll side of origin~ting toll switch 503 is p-~r~lled in this embodiment because both directly connected calls and switched-access calls may be nlo~ led from this point. Most of the services and features currently envisioned that will require Illoniloli-lg the network for signaling require action at origin~ting toll switch 503, and the imm~Ai~cy of having network 20 lllonitol 507 active at the origin~ting toll switch 503 provides faster service and fewer ~ign~lin~ ccl.,.-..~nic~tions among switches. Additionally, network monitor 507 is on the network side of origin~ting toll switch 503 so that the echo canceler in network lllonilol 507 may cancel any sign~ling echo, as described above.
FIG. 6 illustrates a slightly more complex network call topology. In 25 FM. 6, a call is placed from a calling party at a telephone 601 connected to LEC 602. LEC 602 routes the call to originating toll switch 603, which routes the call to an interm~Ai~te toll switch 604 (VLA switch). A ~VIA switch 604 may be part of the network connection when the call is over a long distance (i.e., transcontinental), or when there is no direct trunk available, as is known in the art.
30 The call is then routed to a termin~ting toll switch 605, which routes the call to LEC 606. LEC 606 routes the call to the telephone 607 of the called party. In the topology of FIG. 6, network monitors 608-611 are located at each side of the toll switches. In the preferred embodiment, only network monitor 608 on the intertollside of originating toll switch 603 would be active to provide originating toll switch 35 603 with information regarding customer signaling. Likewise, originating tollswitch 603 monitors sign~ling connection, such as a connection between CPE 612 20~8~
and CPE 613.
FIG. 7 illustrates a relatively common call topology. A calling party places a call at telephone 701 through LEC 702. LEC 702 routes the call to an originating toll switch 703, as above. In this case, the calling party dialed a typical 5 toll special code, such as "800", "900", or the like, and toll switch, recognizing the code, queries a network control point (NCP) database 704 via the signaling network.
In response to the database results, originating toll switch 703 routes the call to an action control point 705 (ACP). In many cases, ACP 705 returns a further destin~tion telephone number to ~rigin~ting toll switch 703, and originating toll 10 switch 703 in response routes the call to a terrnin~ting toll switch 706. Terminating toll switch 706 routes the call to LEC 707, and the call is routed to telephone 708 of the called party. In this topology, a network monitor 709 is activated on the network side of the origin~ting toll switch 703 on the channel between the origin~ting 703 and the termin~ting 706 toll switches. It has been dele~lfil1ed that features are 15 unlikely to be employed in the ACP 705 portion of the call, because ACP 705 is likely to prompt and collect DTMF digits for other purposes.
FIG. 8 illustrates a special call topology for a case where an originating call is placed from telephone 801 through LEC 802 to telephone 805 connected to tçrmin~ting LEC 804, which are both connected to ori in~ting toll switch 803. In20 this case, a network monitor may be acdvated in one of two locations in the call path. If the trunk from LEC 802 is of the type that may be monitored, the network monitor 806 may be enabled, and the call ll~nitoled from the LEC side of originadon toll switch 803, as described in FIG. 2 above. If the trunk from LEC 802 is not the type that may be monitored, and the calling party subscribes to network 25 features, then originadon toll switch 803 routes the call through a VIA switch 811, and back to origin~tion toll switch 803. This topology permits network monitor 807 to be acdvated, and network monitor 809 to serve as an echo canceler.
FM. 9 illustrates an ~ltçrn~tive topology to the network topology of FIG. 8. A special loop-around trunk 907 may be employed to provide network 30 monitor 906 connections to calls with a common toll switch. In this manner, routing the call to a VIA switch is avoided, thus using fewer network resources and timewhile providing the same level of features and services.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart which describes the action taken at the originating toll switch. Boxes 1000 through 1014 are performed for in-band signaling 35 (monitoring for DTMF and other signaling). The rem~ind~r of the flow chart applies to both in-band and out-of-band (common channel) sign~ling. Processing begins in 2~785g9 box 1000 and proceeds to box 1002 where the toll switch receives an incoming call and receives the automatic number identification of the calling party.
Processing continues to decision diamond 1004, where a decision is made whether this calling party subscribes to features which would require a S network monitor. This decision may be made, for example, via a table look up in main n~clllol y of the central control of the origin~ting toll switch. Alternatively, the central control of the ori in~ting toll switch may send an inquiry to a centralized database at, for example, a network control point. If the calling party may not use features, then processing continues to box 1008 where the call is processed 10 conventionally. This branch ends at 1010.
If a calling party does subscribe to network features, then processing continues to box 1012, where the calling number is stored and other information is stored on a per call basis (such as billing data, etc.). Processing proceeds to box 1014 where a network monitor is enabled. The central control sends an 15 activation message to the network monitor, giving a channel identification.
Parallel to this processing, a call is completed to the destination and the network monitor is on and is lllonito, ;ng the trunk for ;u~omel sign~ling.
Prc!cessing waits in decision diamond 1018 to determine if sign~ling has been received. If si~n~ling is not received in decision diamond 1018, then a test is made 20 if the calling (origin~ting) party has discolmc~,led in decision diamond 1020. If, in decision diamond 1020, the calling party did not disconnect, then processing returns to the received signaling decision diamond 1018. If the calling party did disconnect in decision ~ mon~l 1020, then processing continues to box 1022 where the call is terrnin~te~l normally. If a monitor were activated, pr~cessing then proceeds to 25 box 1024 where a network llonilor turn-off message is sent to the network monitor, and processing ends in box 1026.
If central control receives sign~ling in decision diamond 1018, either from the sign~ling channel or the network m-,llil~, then processing returns to decision diamond 1028 where the received signal string is cc,mp~ed to a list of valid 30 strings. If the string is not valid in decision diamond 1028, then processing returns to decision diamond 1018.
If the received string is valid in decision diamond 1028, then processing proceeds to decision diamond 1030, where a ~etçrrnin~tion is made whether this user may use the feature corresponding to the received string. The results of this test may 35 depend on call state or other timing. For example, the signal for sequence dialing may only be valid after calling party termination, whereas voice messaging service 2~7S599 may be available at any time. Additionally, if ringing is detected, a timer may be set and, upon expiration of the timer, the network monitor may be activated to monitor for si n~ling to route the call to a voice mail system, for example. If the user may not use the feature, the proces~ing returns to decision fli~monll 1018. Optionally, the 5 user may be notified that he or she cannot use the feature, by means of a prerecorded message or other audible or visual (ISDN) signal. If the caller may use the feature, as determined in decision diamond 1030, then processing proceeds to box 1032, where the feature is provided, as is known in the art, or hereafter invented. A
c-~n~lllalion tone or annollnrem~nt may optionally be given to acknowledge receipt 10 of a valid string. Processing then returns to decision diamond 1018.
Turning now to FIG. 11, a flowchart at the ne~wolL ,llo~ or is shown.
Processing begins when an activation message is received from central control of the toll switch in box 1100. In decision diamond 1102 a deten~nin~tion is made if a signal has been detected by the multi-tone signal processor. If a signal has not been 15 detected, then processing waits at decision diamond 1102. If a signal has been detected in decision diamond 1102, the received signal is buffered in box 1103 and processing proceeds to box 1104 where a timer is set.
Pr~ce~ssing proceeds to decision diamond 1106 where a test is made if the received DTMF digit or digits in the buffer matches one of a table of signals 20 stored in the control unit. If the received signal does match one of the strings of signals, then proces~ing continues to box 1108 where the signals are sent to thecentral control of the toll switch via the LAN. The buffer is cleared in box 1110, and processing then returns to decision diamond 1102.
If the signals so far received do not match a valid string in decision diamond 1106, then pr~cessing proceeds to decision diamond 1112 where a test is made if the received sign~ling partially match a partially valid sequence. If the received signaling does not match a partially valid sequence, then it is most likely that a false digit has been collected. Processing proceeds to box 1114 where the first - digit is removed. Processing then loops back to decision diamond 1106.
If the received signals match a partially valid sequence in decision diamond 1112, then proces~ing proceeds to decision diamond 1116, where a determin~tion is made whether further signals have been received. If further signals have been received, then the signals are buffered in box 1122 and processing loops back to box 1104. If further signals have not been received in decision diamond 1116, then proces~ing continues to decision diamond 1118 to determine ifthe timer has expired. If the timer has expired, then processing proceeds to box 1120 -13- 2078~99 where the buffer is cleared, and processing returns to decision diamond 1102.
If in decision diamond 1118 the timer has not expired, processing proceeds to decision diamond 1116 where a test is made if further signaling has been received. This processing continues until the control unit receives a turn off message 5 from the central control of the toll switch. In some ~y~ s, a "#" character is used as a string termination character. A check could be made for the "#" character and the string tr~n~l~tefl to a token and sent to central control in place of decision diamond 1106, or supplemental thereto.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely 10 illustrative principles of the invention and that many variations may be devised by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is, th~ fol~;, intenlled that such variations be included within the scope of the claims.
Optionally, controller 310 may provide a co~ tion tone or tones to 10 the ~ign~ling party to in-lic~te-l the receipt of a valid signal string through message circuit 314, under the control of the central controller. Controller 310 may also provide anno~lnce.--e.-l~ through message circuit 314 stating that a partially valid signal was received but the timer expired, andlor an announcement of the provision of service.
An ~lt~rn~tive exemplary embodiment of a network monitor according to this invention is shown in FIG. 4. DSl 401 is connected to a network monitor at a DS 1 facility 403, as above. Each DS0 is connected to an echo canceler 404 through 406. Each echo canceler 404 through 406 is time mllltiplexed to a master echo canceler controller 407. Each DS0 is then tapped to a colllnloll multi-tone signal 20 processor 408, which detect signals through time multiplexing each DS0. Multi-tone signal processor 408 reports detected ~ign~ling to controller 409. A common message circuit 412 is connected to each of the DS0, and is under control of thecontroller 409. Each DS0 is then remultiplexed at second DS 1 facility interface 410 toDSl 411.
FIGS. S through 9 illustrate additional exemplary embodiments, alternate to FIG. 2, showing the relationship of the network monitor to several dirrt~ellt network topologies regularly encoun~ d in network teleco~ --ication.
FIG. 5 illustrates a general case of a network call and the relationship between the network monitor and the network. A call is placed by a calling party from telephone station set 501 to a local office in the local exchange carrier (LEC) 502. LEC 502 routes the call to an ori~in~ting toll switch 503. Originating toll switch 503 routes the call, based on traffic and other considerations as known in the art, to a termin~ting toll switch 504. Terminating toll switch 504 routes the call to a destination LEC 505. LEC 505 routes the call to telephone station set 506 for the 35 called party.
- 207~99 While the originating toll switch 503 is routing the call, it is also del~ ~"~ini.-g whether the call is to be Illoni~ored for customer signaling. If so, then originating toll switch 503 causes network monitor 507 to be activated on the intertoll side of originating toll switch 503, between originating toll switch 503 and S the terrnin~ting toll switch 504, in this exemplary embodiment. Network monitor 508 on the intertoll side of termin~ting toll switch 504 is not activated in this l,lcre,lcd embodiment, but one skilled in the art may envision features wherein monitoring from network lllonilor 508 may be advantageous. For example, the userof telephone 506 may subscribe to a feature such as multi-way network calling, 10 wherein the user may signal t~rmin~ting switch 504 to provide a conference circuit.
The echo cancelers in network monitor 508 are always active. If common channel signaling is available at egress and access, as it is when CPE 509 calls CPE 510, then ori in~ting toll switch 503 monitors the signaling network for an indicator of features.
Monitoring on the intertoll side of origin~ting toll switch 503 is p-~r~lled in this embodiment because both directly connected calls and switched-access calls may be nlo~ led from this point. Most of the services and features currently envisioned that will require Illoniloli-lg the network for signaling require action at origin~ting toll switch 503, and the imm~Ai~cy of having network 20 lllonitol 507 active at the origin~ting toll switch 503 provides faster service and fewer ~ign~lin~ ccl.,.-..~nic~tions among switches. Additionally, network monitor 507 is on the network side of origin~ting toll switch 503 so that the echo canceler in network lllonilol 507 may cancel any sign~ling echo, as described above.
FIG. 6 illustrates a slightly more complex network call topology. In 25 FM. 6, a call is placed from a calling party at a telephone 601 connected to LEC 602. LEC 602 routes the call to originating toll switch 603, which routes the call to an interm~Ai~te toll switch 604 (VLA switch). A ~VIA switch 604 may be part of the network connection when the call is over a long distance (i.e., transcontinental), or when there is no direct trunk available, as is known in the art.
30 The call is then routed to a termin~ting toll switch 605, which routes the call to LEC 606. LEC 606 routes the call to the telephone 607 of the called party. In the topology of FIG. 6, network monitors 608-611 are located at each side of the toll switches. In the preferred embodiment, only network monitor 608 on the intertollside of originating toll switch 603 would be active to provide originating toll switch 35 603 with information regarding customer signaling. Likewise, originating tollswitch 603 monitors sign~ling connection, such as a connection between CPE 612 20~8~
and CPE 613.
FIG. 7 illustrates a relatively common call topology. A calling party places a call at telephone 701 through LEC 702. LEC 702 routes the call to an originating toll switch 703, as above. In this case, the calling party dialed a typical 5 toll special code, such as "800", "900", or the like, and toll switch, recognizing the code, queries a network control point (NCP) database 704 via the signaling network.
In response to the database results, originating toll switch 703 routes the call to an action control point 705 (ACP). In many cases, ACP 705 returns a further destin~tion telephone number to ~rigin~ting toll switch 703, and originating toll 10 switch 703 in response routes the call to a terrnin~ting toll switch 706. Terminating toll switch 706 routes the call to LEC 707, and the call is routed to telephone 708 of the called party. In this topology, a network monitor 709 is activated on the network side of the origin~ting toll switch 703 on the channel between the origin~ting 703 and the termin~ting 706 toll switches. It has been dele~lfil1ed that features are 15 unlikely to be employed in the ACP 705 portion of the call, because ACP 705 is likely to prompt and collect DTMF digits for other purposes.
FIG. 8 illustrates a special call topology for a case where an originating call is placed from telephone 801 through LEC 802 to telephone 805 connected to tçrmin~ting LEC 804, which are both connected to ori in~ting toll switch 803. In20 this case, a network monitor may be acdvated in one of two locations in the call path. If the trunk from LEC 802 is of the type that may be monitored, the network monitor 806 may be enabled, and the call ll~nitoled from the LEC side of originadon toll switch 803, as described in FIG. 2 above. If the trunk from LEC 802 is not the type that may be monitored, and the calling party subscribes to network 25 features, then originadon toll switch 803 routes the call through a VIA switch 811, and back to origin~tion toll switch 803. This topology permits network monitor 807 to be acdvated, and network monitor 809 to serve as an echo canceler.
FM. 9 illustrates an ~ltçrn~tive topology to the network topology of FIG. 8. A special loop-around trunk 907 may be employed to provide network 30 monitor 906 connections to calls with a common toll switch. In this manner, routing the call to a VIA switch is avoided, thus using fewer network resources and timewhile providing the same level of features and services.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart which describes the action taken at the originating toll switch. Boxes 1000 through 1014 are performed for in-band signaling 35 (monitoring for DTMF and other signaling). The rem~ind~r of the flow chart applies to both in-band and out-of-band (common channel) sign~ling. Processing begins in 2~785g9 box 1000 and proceeds to box 1002 where the toll switch receives an incoming call and receives the automatic number identification of the calling party.
Processing continues to decision diamond 1004, where a decision is made whether this calling party subscribes to features which would require a S network monitor. This decision may be made, for example, via a table look up in main n~clllol y of the central control of the origin~ting toll switch. Alternatively, the central control of the ori in~ting toll switch may send an inquiry to a centralized database at, for example, a network control point. If the calling party may not use features, then processing continues to box 1008 where the call is processed 10 conventionally. This branch ends at 1010.
If a calling party does subscribe to network features, then processing continues to box 1012, where the calling number is stored and other information is stored on a per call basis (such as billing data, etc.). Processing proceeds to box 1014 where a network monitor is enabled. The central control sends an 15 activation message to the network monitor, giving a channel identification.
Parallel to this processing, a call is completed to the destination and the network monitor is on and is lllonito, ;ng the trunk for ;u~omel sign~ling.
Prc!cessing waits in decision diamond 1018 to determine if sign~ling has been received. If si~n~ling is not received in decision diamond 1018, then a test is made 20 if the calling (origin~ting) party has discolmc~,led in decision diamond 1020. If, in decision diamond 1020, the calling party did not disconnect, then processing returns to the received signaling decision diamond 1018. If the calling party did disconnect in decision ~ mon~l 1020, then processing continues to box 1022 where the call is terrnin~te~l normally. If a monitor were activated, pr~cessing then proceeds to 25 box 1024 where a network llonilor turn-off message is sent to the network monitor, and processing ends in box 1026.
If central control receives sign~ling in decision diamond 1018, either from the sign~ling channel or the network m-,llil~, then processing returns to decision diamond 1028 where the received signal string is cc,mp~ed to a list of valid 30 strings. If the string is not valid in decision diamond 1028, then processing returns to decision diamond 1018.
If the received string is valid in decision diamond 1028, then processing proceeds to decision diamond 1030, where a ~etçrrnin~tion is made whether this user may use the feature corresponding to the received string. The results of this test may 35 depend on call state or other timing. For example, the signal for sequence dialing may only be valid after calling party termination, whereas voice messaging service 2~7S599 may be available at any time. Additionally, if ringing is detected, a timer may be set and, upon expiration of the timer, the network monitor may be activated to monitor for si n~ling to route the call to a voice mail system, for example. If the user may not use the feature, the proces~ing returns to decision fli~monll 1018. Optionally, the 5 user may be notified that he or she cannot use the feature, by means of a prerecorded message or other audible or visual (ISDN) signal. If the caller may use the feature, as determined in decision diamond 1030, then processing proceeds to box 1032, where the feature is provided, as is known in the art, or hereafter invented. A
c-~n~lllalion tone or annollnrem~nt may optionally be given to acknowledge receipt 10 of a valid string. Processing then returns to decision diamond 1018.
Turning now to FIG. 11, a flowchart at the ne~wolL ,llo~ or is shown.
Processing begins when an activation message is received from central control of the toll switch in box 1100. In decision diamond 1102 a deten~nin~tion is made if a signal has been detected by the multi-tone signal processor. If a signal has not been 15 detected, then processing waits at decision diamond 1102. If a signal has been detected in decision diamond 1102, the received signal is buffered in box 1103 and processing proceeds to box 1104 where a timer is set.
Pr~ce~ssing proceeds to decision diamond 1106 where a test is made if the received DTMF digit or digits in the buffer matches one of a table of signals 20 stored in the control unit. If the received signal does match one of the strings of signals, then proces~ing continues to box 1108 where the signals are sent to thecentral control of the toll switch via the LAN. The buffer is cleared in box 1110, and processing then returns to decision diamond 1102.
If the signals so far received do not match a valid string in decision diamond 1106, then pr~cessing proceeds to decision diamond 1112 where a test is made if the received sign~ling partially match a partially valid sequence. If the received signaling does not match a partially valid sequence, then it is most likely that a false digit has been collected. Processing proceeds to box 1114 where the first - digit is removed. Processing then loops back to decision diamond 1106.
If the received signals match a partially valid sequence in decision diamond 1112, then proces~ing proceeds to decision diamond 1116, where a determin~tion is made whether further signals have been received. If further signals have been received, then the signals are buffered in box 1122 and processing loops back to box 1104. If further signals have not been received in decision diamond 1116, then proces~ing continues to decision diamond 1118 to determine ifthe timer has expired. If the timer has expired, then processing proceeds to box 1120 -13- 2078~99 where the buffer is cleared, and processing returns to decision diamond 1102.
If in decision diamond 1118 the timer has not expired, processing proceeds to decision diamond 1116 where a test is made if further signaling has been received. This processing continues until the control unit receives a turn off message 5 from the central control of the toll switch. In some ~y~ s, a "#" character is used as a string termination character. A check could be made for the "#" character and the string tr~n~l~tefl to a token and sent to central control in place of decision diamond 1106, or supplemental thereto.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely 10 illustrative principles of the invention and that many variations may be devised by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is, th~ fol~;, intenlled that such variations be included within the scope of the claims.
Claims (25)
1. In a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected to said network switches, and a plurality of network monitors each under the control of one of said network switches and connected in pairs to respective opposite ends of one of said channels, each of said network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of:
receiving a call origination from an identified calling line on said one channelat a first of said plurality of network switches, said first network switch determining that said identified calling line subscribes to network services, said first network switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors to monitor said channel for signaling during a period from a call set-up continuing throughout a connection of said identified calling line and a terminating line, and ending upon a termination of the call by said identified calling line, a second of said pair of network monitors canceling echoes of said signaling;
said one of said pair of network monitors reporting said signaling to said firstnetwork switch in response to its detection of signaling; and said first network switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels.
receiving a call origination from an identified calling line on said one channelat a first of said plurality of network switches, said first network switch determining that said identified calling line subscribes to network services, said first network switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors to monitor said channel for signaling during a period from a call set-up continuing throughout a connection of said identified calling line and a terminating line, and ending upon a termination of the call by said identified calling line, a second of said pair of network monitors canceling echoes of said signaling;
said one of said pair of network monitors reporting said signaling to said firstnetwork switch in response to its detection of signaling; and said first network switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connected network monitors are on an access side of said network switches.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connected network monitors are on an intertoll side of said network switches.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of, before said step of reporting said signaling to said first network switch, said one of said pair of network monitors determining if said signaling comprises a valid signal string.
5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said valid signal string comprises one or more dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) digits.
6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said valid signal string comprises network signaling tones.
7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said call origination comprises an identification of a calling line, and wherein said step of enabling said multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors connected to said one of said channels is performed only after said first network switch determines that said identified calling line subscribes to network services.
8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said call origination comprises an identification of a calling line, and wherein said providing access to network services is performed only after said first network switch determines that said identified calling line subscribes to network services.
9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said call origination comprises a destination number, and wherein said providing access to network services is performed only after said first network switch determines that said destination number subscribes to network services.
10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said call origination comprises a destination number, and wherein said step of enabling said multi-tone signal processor in one of said pair of network monitors connected to said one of said channels is performed only after said first network switch determines that said identified calling line subscribes to network services.
11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said signaling comprises a predetermined plurality of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) digits said method further including the steps of, before said step of reporting said signaling to said first network switch, said one network monitor receiving a first of said plurality of DTMF
digits;
said one network monitor timing the receipt of the remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits; and if said remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits is received within a prespecified time, said one network monitor reporting said DTMF digits to said first network switch.
digits;
said one network monitor timing the receipt of the remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits; and if said remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits is received within a prespecified time, said one network monitor reporting said DTMF digits to said first network switch.
12. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising:
if said remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits are not received within said prespecified time, playing an announcement on said channel.
if said remaining predetermined plurality of DTMF digits are not received within said prespecified time, playing an announcement on said channel.
13. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising:
after reporting said DTMF digits to said first network switch, said one network monitor acknowledging said signaling on said channel.
after reporting said DTMF digits to said first network switch, said one network monitor acknowledging said signaling on said channel.
14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said acknowledgement comprises playing a tone on said channel.
15. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said acknowledgement comprises playing an announcement on said channel.
16. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said network switches receive signaling on a signaling channel, and wherein said multi-tone signal processor is enabled in response to a predetermined signal received on said signaling channel by said first network switch.
17. In a network switching system comprising one or more network switches, a plurality of channels interconnected under control of said one or more network switches, and a plurality of network monitors under the control of each of said one or more network switches and connected, in pairs to said channels, each of said network monitors comprising a multi-tone signal processor and an echo canceler, a method for providing access to network services comprising the steps of:
receiving a call origination on one of said channels at an originating one of said one or more network switches, and call origination comprising a destinationnumber and an identification of a calling line;
said originating switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor of one of said pair of network monitors connected to said originating channel to monitor said channel for signaling;
another of said pair of network monitors canceling echo of said signaling;
in response to said signaling, said one of said one or more network monitors reporting said signaling to said originating switch; and said originating switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels in response to verifying that said calling line may have access to network services.
receiving a call origination on one of said channels at an originating one of said one or more network switches, and call origination comprising a destinationnumber and an identification of a calling line;
said originating switch enabling said multi-tone signal processor of one of said pair of network monitors connected to said originating channel to monitor said channel for signaling;
another of said pair of network monitors canceling echo of said signaling;
in response to said signaling, said one of said one or more network monitors reporting said signaling to said originating switch; and said originating switch providing access to network services for said one of said channels in response to verifying that said calling line may have access to network services.
18. A network monitor comprising:
signal detection means connected to a call path at a call origination network switch for detecting signals communicated on said call path through said call origination network switch and through a call destination network switch;
echo cancellation means connected to said call path in conjunction with said signaling detection means for canceling echoes of signaling from said call destination network switch; and controller means connected to said signaling detector means responsive to said signaling detection means for determining validity of said detected signals and for initiating network services responsive to ones of said signals determined to be valid.
signal detection means connected to a call path at a call origination network switch for detecting signals communicated on said call path through said call origination network switch and through a call destination network switch;
echo cancellation means connected to said call path in conjunction with said signaling detection means for canceling echoes of signaling from said call destination network switch; and controller means connected to said signaling detector means responsive to said signaling detection means for determining validity of said detected signals and for initiating network services responsive to ones of said signals determined to be valid.
19. A network monitor in accordance with claim 18 wherein said signaling detection means comprises a multi-tone signal processor.
20. A network monitor in accordance with claim 18 wherein said controller means comprises means for collecting signals from said detector means.
21. A network monitor in accordance with claim 20 wherein said controller means further comprises communication means for communicating said collected signals to said call origination network switch.
22. A network monitor in accordance with claim 21 further including:
message means for reporting valid and invalid signals on said call path.
message means for reporting valid and invalid signals on said call path.
23. A network monitor in accordance with claim 20 wherein said controller means further comprises timing means for timing receipt of signals; and means for clearing said collection means if valid signals are not received within a predetermined time.
24. A network monitor in accordance with claim 20 wherein said controller means further includes means for deleting a first one of said collected signals if said collected signals are not valid.
25. A network monitor in accordance with claim 18 wherein each network monitor monitors a plurality of call paths.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/808,348 US5327489A (en) | 1991-12-16 | 1991-12-16 | Method and apparatus for monitoring a network for customer signaling during the term of a call |
| US808,348 | 1991-12-16 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2078599A1 CA2078599A1 (en) | 1993-06-17 |
| CA2078599C true CA2078599C (en) | 1996-04-02 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| CA002078599A Expired - Fee Related CA2078599C (en) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-09-18 | Method and apparatus for monitoring a network for customer signaling during the term of a call |
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|---|---|
| US (1) | US5327489A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0547780A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0685906A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100274487B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2078599C (en) |
| TW (1) | TW289891B (en) |
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- 1992-12-10 JP JP4352237A patent/JPH0685906A/en active Pending
- 1992-12-16 KR KR1019920024401A patent/KR100274487B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
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| EP0547780A2 (en) | 1993-06-23 |
| US5327489A (en) | 1994-07-05 |
| EP0547780A3 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
| KR100274487B1 (en) | 2000-12-15 |
| KR930015567A (en) | 1993-07-24 |
| CA2078599A1 (en) | 1993-06-17 |
| JPH0685906A (en) | 1994-03-25 |
| TW289891B (en) | 1996-11-01 |
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