HK1003925A

HK1003925A - Procedure and system for processing data traffic signals carrying information

Info

Publication number: HK1003925A
Application number: HK98103096.0A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 安蒂─朱西‧苏奥米尼恩
Original assignee: Sonera Oyj.
Priority date: 1994-09-30
Filing date: 1995-09-28
Publication date: 1998-11-13

Description

Method and system for processing data communication signals carrying information

The present invention relates to a method and a system for processing information-carrying data traffic (data traffic) signals, the method being as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and the system being as defined in the preamble of claim 6.

In the prior art, data communication systems are known which comprise data communication means for transmitting data communication signals, wherein the data communication signals are transmitted between terminal devices of two users (a user and B user). An a-subscriber is understood to be a customer using the data communication system service. The a-subscriber is preferably understood as the subscriber originating the call or, for example, calling the B-subscriber he desires, the B-subscriber preferably being the subscriber receiving the call. As usual, the costs during the contact are borne by the a-user.

In the course of technological development, the overall level of demand is rising. It is desirable to have various services and features (characteristics) that can be controlled by the user's own terminal equipment so that one user can call another user during a call-an intermediate call; connecting the call to another number-call forwarding; instead of answering an incoming call to another terminal equipment or extension-call pickup (pickup); connections of calls from certain numbers to its own extension are prohibited-call exclusion, etc. There are several different options. These services and features that are typically provided to an enterprise add value to customer-specific services, among other things. These services and feature calls are also able to interface with the mobile phone system when implementing the idea of "my office everywhere in the world".

These additional functions described above are currently implemented in public switches that can have hundreds of thousands of extensions. In this implementation, an Intelligent network-based design is used as an aid, which has been described in the literature "Intelligent Networks: dedicate to Services, Alcatel electric Communication, Vol 65 No 1 ". By means of the intelligent network it is possible to realize e.g. the charging of a list of calls to a given credit card number and the connection of a customer's call, such as a medical telephone service, to the end of the logical chain where the telephone service is not busy, so that the city or country where such medical telephone service is provided may not be the location of the customer using the service. The task of an intelligent network is to automatically find the first non-busy phone offering a certain service as soon as the user has proposed by means of control commands, such as DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) commands, that he wants to connect to this service. Other similar services are also available to the user via the intelligent network.

A problem with implementing these services via intelligent networks is the lack of customer specificity. The feature calls of the public switch implemented using the intelligent network are the same for all users, who can use these feature calls by issuing control commands before establishing a data communication connection, and also during the connection in such a service. The subscriber cannot program himself the services and features he needs to talk to in the intelligent network in the public exchange. In the present situation, it is not possible for a subscriber to program the features required by him in a terminal operating in the public network, such as dialing and call barring features that would have been available from the public exchange. Whenever a user wishes to make a call of a characteristic specific to the user, he has to switch himself, send the call to the public network and the user can then program the desired program. The problem is that the private exchange is capital-tied, requires maintenance and space, and frequently causes additional trouble to the user.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to disclose a method and a system for user-friendly and fast and simple control and processing of information-carrying data communication signals, such as call set-up signals, to be transmitted in a data communication system in a user-desired manner.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to disclose a virtual switch system for performing virtual operations in place of customer-specific switches while operators are responsible for equipment maintenance, and to provide services and functions that replace existing functions of enterprise telephone switches.

With regard to the features of the invention, reference is made to the claims.

In the method of the invention, a data communication signal carrying information is transmitted between two user terminals, i.e. an a-subscriber and a B-subscriber, in a data communication system. The data communication signal, by means of which a call between two users can be established, can be a digital or analog modulated audio signal. The data communication system may be an analog or digital mobile telephone network, a public switched data transmission network (PSDN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or the like. As a terminal a mobile communication device, a modem, a telephone or similar means can be used. According to the invention, a virtual switch is connected to the data communication system and predetermined data communication signals are marked in a predetermined manner. These signals may be marked by some means, for example by a user-specific code stored in the subscriber identification unit, for example the serial number of the terminal, its calling number or any other separately identifiable number or code of the terminal and or the user. The signal may further be tagged by employing audio techniques such as DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) or MFT (multi frequency tone) techniques. Further, according to the present invention, the data communication signal to which the tag is added is sent to the virtual switch, the data communication signal is supplied to the control information in the virtual switch, the input signal is checked in the virtual switch to obtain the control information, and then the data communication signal is subjected to a predetermined operation indicated by the control information. Preferably, the input signal is continuously monitored in the virtual exchange, so that a suitable situation is reached where the user does not have to use any individual control commands to inform him of the desired use of the services and features of the virtual exchange for the call.

The aspects of the invention over the prior art are: by means of the invention, individual services can be obtained and implemented in a data communication system without the need for any individual subscriber exchange.

Another advantage of the present invention is: by means of the invention, calls from a user can be intelligently controlled according to the services and functions that the customer desires and that are changed by himself. Moreover, the data communication system using the invention is extremely simple and easy for the user and the user does not have to invest in techniques that may soon become obsolete.

The control information is preferably combined with the data communication signal by means of the terminal combining an audio signal carrying the control information, constituted by DTMF and/or MFT technology, with the data communication signal.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the virtual switch is associated with programming means for changing the characteristics and/or functions of the virtual switch; control commands representing the properties and/or functions are input to the virtual switch by means of said programming means, and the properties and/or functions are then stored in the virtual switch. Preferably establishing a connection with the virtual switch using another device; for example, a connection is established between a user and a computer controlling the virtual switch, so that the desired functionality can be programmed in the virtual switch.

The data communication signals are preferably marked in a user-specific way, which data communication signals are subjected to user-specific operations according to user-specific characteristics and/or functions stored in the virtual exchange. In this way, the characteristics of each user in the virtual switch can be tailored to meet the needs of that user.

In a data communication service system of the present invention, a data communication signal carrying information is transmitted between terminals of two users (an a user and a B user), the system comprising data communication means for transmitting the data communication signal between the two users. According to the invention, the data communication means comprise a virtual switch provided at one end of the logical chain from the user side and arranged to be programmable with user-specific characteristics installed therein. A logical chain refers to a virtual switch being in an operator's room connected to a telephone network, for example in a public telephone network where data communication signals are transmitted through the switch. These tagged subscriber data communication signals may then pass through several switches to the virtual switch where they are subjected to the required actions of the subscriber and then sent back to the public network to the address specified by the subscriber.

In a preferred embodiment, the virtual switch comprises a router and control means, the router being connected to the data communication system for routing data communication signals in said data communication system; the control device is connected to the router for controlling routing of the data communication signals. It is preferable to be able to use a previously known switching field (switching field) structure or the like as a router. The control means may comprise a computer, a normal PC or a more efficient use of RISC processors and UNIX based multitasking computer.

The router preferably includes a first signal transfer interface for coupling data communication signals to the virtual switch and a switching field electrically coupled to the first signal transfer interface. A signalling interface is understood to be a junction between two devices or systems cooperating with each other or, as here, a virtual exchange public telephone network and a control means-a router-and a protocol defined by the cooperation. The signaling interface may be embodied in many different protocols such as ITUP, ISUP, TUP, and INAP.

Further, the control means preferably comprises storage means for storage characteristics and/or functions and a second signal transmission interface for connecting control commands to the virtual analog switch and programmable control logic for controlling the switching fields to implement the characters and/or functions.

The data communication system is preferably a mobile telephone system, preferably a GSM system. The mobile telephone system may also be a system that conforms to another set of standards, such as NMT.

In the following, the invention will be described with the aid of the attached embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a virtual switch in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a data communication system in accordance with the present invention;

as shown in fig. 1: the virtual switch according to the invention comprises a router 2 connected to a data communication system, such as a PSTN, via a first signal transmission interface 4. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the first signal transmission interface 4 has been divided into two parts, so that the first part 4a transmits signals from the public telephone network to the virtual exchange 1, and the second part 4b transmits signals output by the virtual exchange into the telephone network. The virtual switch further comprises a switching field 5, the technology of which is known in the art, by means of which switching field 5 data communication signals are transmitted to different addresses.

The virtual switch as shown in fig. 1 also comprises as main components a control means 3, which control means 3 may further comprise a computer, programmable control logic 8 and storage means 6 or any combination of these devices. As the storage means 6, various database memories in which a large amount of data can be stored can be employed. This is necessary because the virtual switch 1 is used to serve a number of subscribers, the specific characteristics of which are already stored in the virtual switch.

The router 2 and the control device 3 may be interconnected using switching techniques known in the art. The connection is preferably made using a signalling interface 9 implemented by applying the INAP protocol. Alternatively, the router 2 and the control means 3 may be integrated, in which case they may be connected using internal bus technology known in the art.

With reference to fig. 2, the operation of the data communication system according to the present invention will be described in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The data communication system in this embodiment is a public switched telephone network 11, the telephone network 11 comprising a plurality of exchanges 10¹......10ⁿ. The virtual switch 1 constituting the present invention has been further connected to a data communication system through a signal transmission interface 4. The users in this example are A, B and B users₁A user. A-subscriber using services programmed in the virtual exchange, B-subscriber being the object of A-subscriber call, B-subscriber₁The user is the subject of the mid-talk when the a user speaks with the B user.

In this example, the a subscriber has programmed his desired characteristic call in the virtual exchange 1 via the programming connection 12, so that with a given command sequence the a subscriber can make an intermediate call with his partner whose work site is located in another city. At the beginning of the call, user a dials the phone number of user B. The signal transmitted by the a subscriber is identified by a digital code specific to the a subscriber. Based on this digital code, the signal of the a-subscriber is routed from the public network to the virtual exchange for processing, where the control commands contained in the signal are automatically checked. If no request for a specific function is to be implemented in the signal, the virtual exchange 1 uses the switching field 5 to switch the signal further into the telephone network for transmission to the B subscriber. When the B-subscriber answers the call, the connection is completed and the subscribers can talk to each other. During a call, the A-subscriber wants to communicate with his partner, in this example B₁The user, together, checks some detail. The A subscriber sets up an intermediate call by dialing a command sequence tailored for this particular function on his own terminal, so that the virtual exchange 1 observes the incoming control commands and connects them to B in dependence on this signal₁The user and switches the originating call to etcAnd (5) waiting for state. The command sequence may be, for example: a dials # B first₁Of]Whereby the connection with B becomes suspended and B is established for A₁The connection of (2). When A user wishes, the user disconnects B₁The user connects and then returns to the original call. Furthermore, if A subscriber hangs up his phone, B and B₁Will communicate with each other so that the a subscriber has completed an effective call transfer. It should further be noted that the a user can let him interact with B and B₁The connection of (2) is switched back and forth.

In summary, it is noted that a plurality of services like the above example can be implemented programmatically in the virtual exchange, which services can be requested on a terminal device, such as a telephone. It is also noted that similar services can be obtained by the user performing a physical exchange of his own in which he can program the functions he needs. These services are not available without the design of the present invention when operating with a mobile phone. The present invention greatly simplifies the range of services provided by the operator and makes it more versatile than previously. When using a virtual switch, the operator can reach the user to program his "own sector" in the virtual switch in the way he wants himself, and the user does not have to invest in a telephone switch, the technology of which often becomes obsolete.

The invention is not limited to only the embodiments presented above. Many modifications may be made within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for use in a data communication system in which data communication signals carrying information are transmitted between terminals of two users (a-user and B-user), characterized by:

connecting a virtual switch to said data communications system;

the predetermined data communication signal is marked in a predetermined manner;

the tagged data communication signals are routed to the virtual switch;

providing control information for data communication signals by a user terminal in the virtual switch;

checking an input signal in the virtual switch to obtain the control information; and

the data communication signal accepts a predetermined operation in accordance with the control information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said control information is combined with said data communication signal by combining said data communication signal with an audio signal carrying said control information, said audio signal being preferably formed using DTMF and/or MFT techniques;

3. the method of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

programming means connected to said virtual switch for changing characteristics and/or functions of said virtual switch;

the control command specifying the characteristic and/or function is input to the virtual switch by means of programming means;

the features and/or functions are stored in the virtual switch.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

the data communication signals are marked in a user-specific manner and/or a terminal-specific manner;

the data communication signals are subject to user-specific and/or terminal-specific operations in accordance with user-specific characteristics and/or functions stored in the virtual switch.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the data communication signal is an audio signal modulated with digital or analog, by means of which a communication connection between two users is formed.

6. A data communication system in which data communication signals carrying information are communicated between two users (an a user and a B user), and which includes data communication means for communicating data communication signals between the two users, characterized by: the data communication arrangement comprises a virtual switch (1) placed at one end of the user's logical chain, which virtual switch is arranged to be programmable by means of control commands from the user's terminals and provided with user-specific properties therein.

7. A data communication system according to claim 6, characterized in that the switch (1) comprises:

a router (2) connected to a data communication system for routing data communication signals in said data communication system; and

a control device (3) connected to the router (2) for controlling the routing of the data communication signals.

8. The data communication system according to claim 7, wherein the router (2) comprises:

-a first signal transmission interface (4) for connecting data communication signals to the virtual switch (1); and

a switching field (5) electrically connected to the first signal transmission interface.

9. The data communication system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control means (3) comprises:

a storage device (6) storing characteristics and/or functions;

a second signalling interface (7) connecting control commands to said virtual switch; and

programmable control logic (8) for controlling the switching field (5) in accordance with a characteristic and/or a function.

10. The data communication system according to any of the claims 7-9, characterized in that said first signal transmission interface (4) has been embodied according to the ITUP and/or ISUP protocol.

11. A data communication system according to any of claims 6-10, characterized in that said data communication system is a mobile telephone system and preferably a GSM system.

Claims

connecting a virtual switch to said data communications system;

the tagged data communication signals are routed to the virtual switch;

providing control information for data communication signals in the virtual switch;

3. the method of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the features and/or functions are stored in the virtual switch.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein:

6. A data communication system in which data communication signals carrying information are transmitted between two subscribers (a-subscriber and B-subscriber) and which system comprises data communication means for transmitting data communication signals between two subscribers, characterized in that the data communication means comprise a virtual switch (1), which is placed at one end of a logical chain of subscribers and which is arranged to be programmable by means of control commands provided therein with subscriber-specific properties.

a storage device (6) storing characteristics and/or functions;