Telecommunications system having separate switch intelligence and switch fabric

Abstract

The present invention is a telecommunications system having separate switch fabric and switch intelligence. The system comprises a switch fabric, a switch intelligence, and a feature processor. The switch intelligence is logically separated from the switch fabric and comprises a switch fabric proxy, a facility service, a connection manager service, and a call segment instance service. The switch fabric proxy is coupled to the switch fabric via a vendor-specific first Application Programming Interface (API). The switch fabric proxy supports a second API, which is common across all vendors, representing functions supported by the switch fabric. A facility instance, which is instantiated by a facility service using a facility model, represents the bearer and signaling facilities of a party to a call, and interacts with the switch fabric proxy via the second API to communicate with the switch fabric. The connection manager service represents the connectors for a party to a call, and interacts with the switch fabric proxy via the second API to communicate with the switch fabric. A call segment instance, which is instantiated by a call segment instance service using a call model, represents the call logic and call data for a party to a call, and interacts with the connection manager service via a third API and with the facility instance via a fourth API. The feature processor interacts with the call segment instance via a fifth API to provide the telecommunications feature.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to network switching and more particularly to a telecommunications system having separate switch intelligence and switch fabric.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]A conventional telecommunications network comprises three basic components: user terminals (e.g., telephones), communications busses (e.g., telephone lines) and switches. The switches are used to selectively connect the user terminals via the communications busses. Each switch comprises two basic components: the switch fabric, which physically interconnects the communications busses, and the switch intelligence, which directs the operation of the switch fabric based on control signals (e.g., telephone numbers) received by the switch.[0005]In recent years, however, the telecommunications features offered by service providers (including both local and long distance service providers) have increased dramatically in both number and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a telecommunications network with separate switch fabric and switch intelligence. The system includes a switch fabric, a switch intelligence, and a feature processor. The switch intelligence is logically separated from the switch fabric and includes a switch fabric proxy, a facility service, a connection manager service, and a call segment instance service. The switch fabric proxy supports a second API, which is common across all vendors, representing functions supported by the switch fabric. The facility service interacts with the switch fabric proxy via the second API to communicate with the switch fabric. The connection manager service interacts with the switch fabric proxy via the second API to communicate with the switch fabric. The call segment instance service interacts with the connection manager service via a third API and with the facility service via a fourth API. The feature processor interacts with the call segment instance via a fifth API to provide the telecommunications feature. The switch intelligence further comprises two call processing creation environments to allow for easy creation and deployment of new telecommunications features. The present invention provides an architecture that supports rapid creation and deployment of new features, reuses software and hardware components across multiple features and products, and allows for scalability and engineering applications in varying levels of centralization or distribution. It also allows for decoupling of price / performance decisions and optimizes business buying strategies.

Problems solved by technology

In recent years, however, the telecommunications features offered by service providers (including both local and long distance service providers) have increased dramatically in both number and complexity.

Because many of these features are implemented primarily at the switch, the complexity of the switch intelligence has increased in kind to include complex call processing logic.

The retention of this monolithic switching approach in the face of these changes has substantial disadvantages.

The primary disadvantages result from the fact that switches from different manufacturers may employ unique methods of control and / or unique computing languages in their switches.

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