CA2311720A1 - Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and terminals which are capable of handling data - Google Patents
Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and terminals which are capable of handling data Download PDFInfo
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- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device (DMF) for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network (INW) between a terminal (TEG) and a service control point (SCP). The service control point is provided for executing network services (INW) and uses a service protocol (DAP) for carrying out the data exchange. To allow for the data exchange the data conversion device or function (DMF) is configured on the one hand with the service control point in the service protocol (DAP) and on the other hand with the terminal (TEG) in a data format (TEP) which can be processed by said terminal. The data conversion device or function converts the data of the terminal (TEG) and of the service control point (SCP) into the data format (DAP, TEP) of the corresponding other apparatus and transmits them.
Description
GR 9'7 P 2960 FILE, ~I~N-~N-THIS AMENDED
-~~~E~TRANSLATION
Description Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and terminals which are capable of handling data The invention relates to a method and a device for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network between a terminal and a service control station which is provided for executing services of the network and which uses a service protocol to exchange data.
In an intelligent telecommunications network, in addition to the basic services, such as the telephone and facsimile service of a telephone network, further services are set up and these can be triggered by a subscriber to the intelligent network. These services may be, for example, services which are supplementary to the basic services, for example a call divert service, administration-oriented services, for example an interrogation of the call tolls incurred by a subscriber, or application services which are based on the basic services, for example a bank account transaction service in which bank account transactions and other banking transactions are carried out and logged over the telephone. In order to administer and execute the services, a service control station, a so-called SCP (Service Control _Point) is provided in the intelligent network.
Access to the service control station and its services is usually carried out by the operator of the intelligent network by means of his own terminals. The exchange of data in an intelligent network between a terminal of a subscriber to the intelligent network and the service control station has previously been possible only to a restricted degree. As a rule, a DTMF
interface (Double Tone _Multi Frequency method) is used for subscriber services of an intelligent network in order to transmit data to the service control station, - la -in which interface only numbers and a small number of special characters can be transmitted; in the opposite direction only announcements are possible owing to the restriction of the messages to the "voice band" . In a GSM network, it is possible to use USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data). This comprises a specific signaling procedure starting from the terminal. However, this solution has the disadvantage that it cannot be applied beyond the limits of the network and can also only be used within a GSM network if the functionality of the USSD is available in a homogenous way in each network node because the USSD protocols cannot be transferred between the network nodes. Furthermore, it is possible to access the service control station via data networks. However, in this context it is possible neither to fulfill real time requirements nor to achieve high transaction rates. However, at present it is possible to assume that in future a very high number of network subscribers will make use of services of an intelligent network, and for this reason will require efficient access to the service parameters. In addition, the access usually makes demanding requirements of the terminals.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a uniform technology, which can be applied beyond the limits of a network, for exchanging application-specific data between terminals and the service control station of an intelligent network which does not make any requirements, or only makes minor requirements, of the terminals. Terminals which are capable of handling data and for which such an exchange of data is to be made possible, are, for example, multifunctional mobile phones, microcomputers which are capable of telecommunications, for example a GSM-capable PDA (Personal Digital _Assistant), a PC
(Personal Computer) with dialing modem or ISDN adapter, etc.
This object is achieved on the basis of the method mentioned at the beginning by means of a method in which the exchange of data in the network is carried - 2a -out according to the invention by means of a data conversion function which - receives data transmitted by the terminal, converts it into the data format corresponding to the service protocol and transmits it to the service control station, and - receives data in the service protocol from the service control station, converts it into a data format which can be evaluated by the terminal and transmits it to the terminal This solution permits, inter alia, rapid and direct access to service parameters. In contrast to a connection via data networks, for example the Internet, the response time is now determined by the service control station and is thus generally fractions of seconds. Furthermore, the restriction of the character set which can be used on, for example, numbers in the case of the DTMF method is removed. The exchange of data can be adapted to the terminal used, without intervention in the service control station itself being necessary. Last but not least, this method can be used beyond the limits of a network because connections to other networks can be handled in the same way as those to terminals.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a switching station of the network and/or a device assigned to it executes the data conversion function.
As a result, the location of the data conversion can be moved as close as possible to the terminal. Within the network, the further signaling operation is carried out by means of the service protocol; in particular, the service control station is relieved of the administration of the terminal protocols.
In this context it is particularly favorable if the data conversion function runs as a service resource function of the switching station. Service resource functions (SRF) are known for the implementation of functions of a switching station.
- 3a -A further embodiment variant advantageously provides a relatively high level of flexibility in terms of the terminals which can be used and their protocols by virtue of the fact that the communication of the data conversion function to the terminal is carried out by means of an intelligent peripheral unit.
It is also advantageous for the flexibility if the data conversion function uses a mapping function for converting the service protocol into the data format of the terminal, and vice versa.
Advantageously, it is possible to operate in the terminal an application which exchanges data with services running in the service control station. This possibility was previously largely excluded owing to the asymmetrical and/or restricted data exchange protocols.
It is also favorable, and simplifies the structure of the connection between the service control station and the terminal, if the data conversion function is activated by the service control station.
The abovementioned function is also achieved by means of a device of the type mentioned at the beginning which has a network-end transceiver for exchanging data in the service protocol with the service control station, and a peripheral transceiver for exchanging data with the terminal in a data format which can be evaluated by the terminal and is designed to convert the data of the terminal and of the service control station into the data format of the respective other device, and to transmit it.
The advantages provided by this solution have already been illustrated above with respect to the method according to the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is provided in a switching office of the network, or assigned thereto. As has already been stated above, the location of the data conversion operation can thus be moved as close as possible to the terminal.
In a further advantageous embodiment variant, an intelligent peripheral unit is set up as a peripheral transceiver in order to increase the flexibility in terms of the terminals which can be used and the protocols for them.
It is also advantageous for flexibility if a mapping device is provided for converting the service protocol into the data format of the terminal, and vice versa.
It is also favorable for a simplified design of the connection between the service control station and the terminal if the device according to the invention can be actuated by the service control station.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment for an intelligent network with ETSI core-INAP protocol, the overview (shown in the appended figure) of the hierarchical levels of the exchange of data between the terminal and the service control station being used.
According to the invention, service conversion functions DMF are provided for connecting a terminal TEG of the above type which is capable of handling data. Said data conversion functions DMF may be assigned, as independent devices, to the switching stations of the intelligent network, the so-called SSP
(Service Switching Points); in this example, they are implemented as special service resource functions of the switching station. The data conversion function DMF
is controlled by the service control station by means of the network-internal data-exchange protocol DAP. In the present exemplary embodiment, this service protocol DAP is the CS1 version of the ETSI core-INAP. For details of the INAP protocol, reference is made here to the standards of the ETSI
-~~~E~TRANSLATION
Description Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and terminals which are capable of handling data The invention relates to a method and a device for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network between a terminal and a service control station which is provided for executing services of the network and which uses a service protocol to exchange data.
In an intelligent telecommunications network, in addition to the basic services, such as the telephone and facsimile service of a telephone network, further services are set up and these can be triggered by a subscriber to the intelligent network. These services may be, for example, services which are supplementary to the basic services, for example a call divert service, administration-oriented services, for example an interrogation of the call tolls incurred by a subscriber, or application services which are based on the basic services, for example a bank account transaction service in which bank account transactions and other banking transactions are carried out and logged over the telephone. In order to administer and execute the services, a service control station, a so-called SCP (Service Control _Point) is provided in the intelligent network.
Access to the service control station and its services is usually carried out by the operator of the intelligent network by means of his own terminals. The exchange of data in an intelligent network between a terminal of a subscriber to the intelligent network and the service control station has previously been possible only to a restricted degree. As a rule, a DTMF
interface (Double Tone _Multi Frequency method) is used for subscriber services of an intelligent network in order to transmit data to the service control station, - la -in which interface only numbers and a small number of special characters can be transmitted; in the opposite direction only announcements are possible owing to the restriction of the messages to the "voice band" . In a GSM network, it is possible to use USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data). This comprises a specific signaling procedure starting from the terminal. However, this solution has the disadvantage that it cannot be applied beyond the limits of the network and can also only be used within a GSM network if the functionality of the USSD is available in a homogenous way in each network node because the USSD protocols cannot be transferred between the network nodes. Furthermore, it is possible to access the service control station via data networks. However, in this context it is possible neither to fulfill real time requirements nor to achieve high transaction rates. However, at present it is possible to assume that in future a very high number of network subscribers will make use of services of an intelligent network, and for this reason will require efficient access to the service parameters. In addition, the access usually makes demanding requirements of the terminals.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a uniform technology, which can be applied beyond the limits of a network, for exchanging application-specific data between terminals and the service control station of an intelligent network which does not make any requirements, or only makes minor requirements, of the terminals. Terminals which are capable of handling data and for which such an exchange of data is to be made possible, are, for example, multifunctional mobile phones, microcomputers which are capable of telecommunications, for example a GSM-capable PDA (Personal Digital _Assistant), a PC
(Personal Computer) with dialing modem or ISDN adapter, etc.
This object is achieved on the basis of the method mentioned at the beginning by means of a method in which the exchange of data in the network is carried - 2a -out according to the invention by means of a data conversion function which - receives data transmitted by the terminal, converts it into the data format corresponding to the service protocol and transmits it to the service control station, and - receives data in the service protocol from the service control station, converts it into a data format which can be evaluated by the terminal and transmits it to the terminal This solution permits, inter alia, rapid and direct access to service parameters. In contrast to a connection via data networks, for example the Internet, the response time is now determined by the service control station and is thus generally fractions of seconds. Furthermore, the restriction of the character set which can be used on, for example, numbers in the case of the DTMF method is removed. The exchange of data can be adapted to the terminal used, without intervention in the service control station itself being necessary. Last but not least, this method can be used beyond the limits of a network because connections to other networks can be handled in the same way as those to terminals.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a switching station of the network and/or a device assigned to it executes the data conversion function.
As a result, the location of the data conversion can be moved as close as possible to the terminal. Within the network, the further signaling operation is carried out by means of the service protocol; in particular, the service control station is relieved of the administration of the terminal protocols.
In this context it is particularly favorable if the data conversion function runs as a service resource function of the switching station. Service resource functions (SRF) are known for the implementation of functions of a switching station.
- 3a -A further embodiment variant advantageously provides a relatively high level of flexibility in terms of the terminals which can be used and their protocols by virtue of the fact that the communication of the data conversion function to the terminal is carried out by means of an intelligent peripheral unit.
It is also advantageous for the flexibility if the data conversion function uses a mapping function for converting the service protocol into the data format of the terminal, and vice versa.
Advantageously, it is possible to operate in the terminal an application which exchanges data with services running in the service control station. This possibility was previously largely excluded owing to the asymmetrical and/or restricted data exchange protocols.
It is also favorable, and simplifies the structure of the connection between the service control station and the terminal, if the data conversion function is activated by the service control station.
The abovementioned function is also achieved by means of a device of the type mentioned at the beginning which has a network-end transceiver for exchanging data in the service protocol with the service control station, and a peripheral transceiver for exchanging data with the terminal in a data format which can be evaluated by the terminal and is designed to convert the data of the terminal and of the service control station into the data format of the respective other device, and to transmit it.
The advantages provided by this solution have already been illustrated above with respect to the method according to the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is provided in a switching office of the network, or assigned thereto. As has already been stated above, the location of the data conversion operation can thus be moved as close as possible to the terminal.
In a further advantageous embodiment variant, an intelligent peripheral unit is set up as a peripheral transceiver in order to increase the flexibility in terms of the terminals which can be used and the protocols for them.
It is also advantageous for flexibility if a mapping device is provided for converting the service protocol into the data format of the terminal, and vice versa.
It is also favorable for a simplified design of the connection between the service control station and the terminal if the device according to the invention can be actuated by the service control station.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment for an intelligent network with ETSI core-INAP protocol, the overview (shown in the appended figure) of the hierarchical levels of the exchange of data between the terminal and the service control station being used.
According to the invention, service conversion functions DMF are provided for connecting a terminal TEG of the above type which is capable of handling data. Said data conversion functions DMF may be assigned, as independent devices, to the switching stations of the intelligent network, the so-called SSP
(Service Switching Points); in this example, they are implemented as special service resource functions of the switching station. The data conversion function DMF
is controlled by the service control station by means of the network-internal data-exchange protocol DAP. In the present exemplary embodiment, this service protocol DAP is the CS1 version of the ETSI core-INAP. For details of the INAP protocol, reference is made here to the standards of the ETSI
Institute, in particular "intelligent network (IN);
intelligent network capability set 1 (CS1), Core Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP), Part 1: Protocol Specification", De/SPS-03015, draft prETS
300 374-1, Nov. 93 1.
The data conversion functions DMF provide the required interface, namely a signaling interface TPP, to the terminal TEG and a terminal protocol TEP, for example VT100, which is run on it. In terms of the hierarchy of the data transmission, the terminal protocol TEP corresponds to the service protocol DAP, that is to say the INAP protocol in the example; the terminal's signaling interface TPP which ranks below that corresponds to the signaling system CCS7 used under INAP. The mapping between the service protocol DAP on the one hand and the peripheral protocol TEP on the other takes place using the mapping function MAF
("Mapping Function") which is available to the data conversion function DMF. The data conversion function DMF makes available functions for implementing the data transmission protocol TPP, TEP for transmitting to the terminal TEG and to implement an application protocol ATL on the basis of said data transmission protocol TPP, TEP. This application protocol is mapped to the service control station under the protocol of the service function SCF of the service control station. As a result, for the communication between the application ATL of the terminal TEG and the service function SCF of the service control station, the components which are located between them, and which are of course subordinate to them in the data exchange hierarchy, are transparent on the application level. This is indicated by the open arrows in the figure. The necessary application services SCF are modeled in the intelligent network using the uniform means of the data exchange protocol DAP which is used, in the example this is the INAP interface and the service modules (SIB, _Service-Independent Building _Blocks) which are available for this.
- 6a -A data conversion function DMF is activated, for example, by virtue of the fact that when a connection is being set up in the course of a dialog in the intelligent network it is connected into the circuit between the service SCF
_ 7 _ and the terminal TEG, for example with the aid of a support function of a switching station in a so-called assist or handoff procedure. The connection is then brought about by the service SCF. For a fault-free procedure it is then necessary for the conversion function DMF to be informed which transmission protocols TEP can be used, or are necessary, to connect the terminal TEG. The service function SCF can derive this from the "InitialDetectionPoint" message of the INAP protocol, which message is used to interrogate the properties of network subscribers. For this purpose, it is necessary to incorporate into the INAP protocol an expansion of the so-called "ConnectToResource"
operation, specifically an additional parameter which supplies the necessary information relating to the terminals and data transmission protocols. To do this, use can be made, inter alia, of the information elements which are also used for interoffice signaling, for example according to ISUP ("ISDN _User _Part"), please see in this respect, for example, the ITU
Standard Q. 763 "Formats and codes of the ISDN user part of signaling system No. 7".
Data can then be exchanged between the application ATL of the terminal and the service SCF of the service control station by means of the conversion function DMF. for example, interactions can take place between the subscriber TEG and the conversion function DMF, said interactions being initiated successively by the service control station in, for example, the so-called "PromptAndCollect" calls of the CSl and acknowledged to the service control station by the conversion function DMF. In the process, data can be exchanged between service control station and conversion function DMF.
In the technical implementation, the data conversion function DMF is advantageously split into a protocol machine MSF to the service control station and an intelligent peripheral unit MIP to the terminal TEG
which fulfill the respective transmission and reception - 7a -functions at the interfaces to the service control station SCP and/or to the terminal TEG.
_ g _ An ISDN terminal connection is generally used as the interface for the peripheral unit MIP. In special cases, the intelligent peripheral unit may also be implemented within a service resource function.
Mainly prompt messages, for example as a "PromptAndCollect" command in CS1, are transmitted via the network-end interface between the data conversion function DMF and service control station. Within these prompts, use is made of predefined text modules for, for example, communication with the conversion function DMF, or texts which are to be transmitted via the terminal TEG are conveyed. The conversion function forwards the prompts to the terminal TEG and wait for a response, for example, an input by the subscriber. As soon as a message arrives from the terminal TEG, this is mapped by the conversion function DMF onto the interface DAP to the service control station SCP, i.e.
is forwarded by means of the INAP protocol, in the example to the service SCF as a result of the "PromptAndCollect" instruction.
As a further possibility, a logic application protocol can be included between the service control station and the terminal TEG. For this purpose, precise statements are made relating to the structure of the exchanged text information (strings). In this way, it is possible to implement a command language for administering service parameters of the intelligent network INW.
On the peripheral interface to the terminal TEG, the conversion function DMF forwards the prompts which have been received from the service function SCF
via the INAP protocol. This can also be carried out, for example, in the form of simple text menus if these are supported by the terminal. It is to be noted here once more that the exchange of data is carried out on the part of the terminal by means of a usual connection of the intelligent network INW, for example a telephone link.
_ g _ The following are possible exemplary application areas of the invention within an intelligent network:
1) Menu-controlled user dialogs for service subscribers, for example the registration and/or updating of subscriber data, for example for subscription to a service or changing call numbers for a call divert, and interrogations during operation, for example relating to the balance of a subscriber account or tolls which have been incurred. In particular cases, it is also possible to operate applications, for example even computer programs, on the terminal TEG, which applications communicate with application services of the service control station by means of interrogations or dialogs: this can be carried out within the framework of a logic application protocol as described above and/or in the manner of a client/server relation.
2) Connection of external monitoring and control systems or external database systems. This is particularly suitable for services of the intelligent network in which information is required which changes frequently and, under certain circumstances, quickly and to which the system of the intelligent network itself does not have direct access - for example a fleet management system in which information relating to the availability and the location of the vehicle is required to set up a connection to a fleet vehicle.
3) Transmission of messages by means of the service logic. Here, messages, for example facsimile, e-mail (electronic mail) or text messages of a "Short Message Service", can be transmitted by the service control station at a particular point within a service of the intelligent network - for example if a subscriber cannot be accessed, the service logic can - 9a -transmit, in response to a command by the calling party, a short message or e-mail message to the called subscriber which contains information relating to the connection which has not come about.
4) Connection to banks and credit card organizations.
The interfaces which are currently used for online authorization of account transactions are very complex and differ in form. This function can also be implemented using a data conversion function according to the invention. This enables the authorization procedure to be highly simplified in comparison with the service control service and standardized using the INAP protocol. For example, after it has initiated the connection between the data conversion function and the authorization point, the service control station transmits an authorization interrogation to the data conversion function. The latter processes the authorization protocol, possibly in a plurality of individual steps, and transmits the positive or negative result to the service control station.
The invention provides a rapid and direct way of accessing service parameters. In contrast to a connection via data networks, for example the Internet, this type of access is implemented on a reserved channel, i.e. the capacity of the data transmission is available during the entire connection. The response time is now predefined by the service control station and is thus generally fractions of seconds. The high transaction rates which can be achieved thus also permit frequent access to service parameters by network subscribers.
Owing to the use of a terminal protocol TEP, the character set which is used is, in contrast to DTMF
signaling, no longer restricted to numerals.
Furthermore, a bidirectional exchange of data is now possible. At the same time, a multiplicity of different terminals which are capable of handling data can be supported. In the process, no requirements, or only small requirements, are made of the terminal. As a result, no special terminals are necessary and it is possible to use communications terminals which are - l0a -already known, for example a PC which is equipped with a dialing modem or ISDN adapter and which has a terminal emulation. It is also possible to use a terminal protocol, for example for a mobile phone with an alphanumeric display. Furthermore, the link can be adapted to terminal interfaces of any desired complexity, the network-end interface to the service control station being unaffected. The various types of interfaces to data services and application protocols are exported out of the service control station as data conversion functions DMF. They may be of modular design and are made available in the network as required.
In contrast to the USSD signaling which can be used in mobile radio, the method according to the invention can be used universally and beyond the limits of a network. In such a case, it is possible, for example, to treat the link to another network in the same way as a connection to a terminal albeit with a suitably selected data protocol. Because the link is made via an intelligent peripheral unit to which a connection is switched, the invention can be used independently of the base network and of the interoffice signaling used there. As a special case, it can also be used in a so-called IN overlay configuration in which not all the network nodes are equipped with the functionality of a switching office of an intelligent network.
The invention is, of course, not restricted to the abovementioned exemplary applications, nor to the use of an INAP protocol, but is instead suitable for intelligent networks generally within the sense of the independent claims 1 and 8.
intelligent network capability set 1 (CS1), Core Intelligent Network Application Protocol (INAP), Part 1: Protocol Specification", De/SPS-03015, draft prETS
300 374-1, Nov. 93 1.
The data conversion functions DMF provide the required interface, namely a signaling interface TPP, to the terminal TEG and a terminal protocol TEP, for example VT100, which is run on it. In terms of the hierarchy of the data transmission, the terminal protocol TEP corresponds to the service protocol DAP, that is to say the INAP protocol in the example; the terminal's signaling interface TPP which ranks below that corresponds to the signaling system CCS7 used under INAP. The mapping between the service protocol DAP on the one hand and the peripheral protocol TEP on the other takes place using the mapping function MAF
("Mapping Function") which is available to the data conversion function DMF. The data conversion function DMF makes available functions for implementing the data transmission protocol TPP, TEP for transmitting to the terminal TEG and to implement an application protocol ATL on the basis of said data transmission protocol TPP, TEP. This application protocol is mapped to the service control station under the protocol of the service function SCF of the service control station. As a result, for the communication between the application ATL of the terminal TEG and the service function SCF of the service control station, the components which are located between them, and which are of course subordinate to them in the data exchange hierarchy, are transparent on the application level. This is indicated by the open arrows in the figure. The necessary application services SCF are modeled in the intelligent network using the uniform means of the data exchange protocol DAP which is used, in the example this is the INAP interface and the service modules (SIB, _Service-Independent Building _Blocks) which are available for this.
- 6a -A data conversion function DMF is activated, for example, by virtue of the fact that when a connection is being set up in the course of a dialog in the intelligent network it is connected into the circuit between the service SCF
_ 7 _ and the terminal TEG, for example with the aid of a support function of a switching station in a so-called assist or handoff procedure. The connection is then brought about by the service SCF. For a fault-free procedure it is then necessary for the conversion function DMF to be informed which transmission protocols TEP can be used, or are necessary, to connect the terminal TEG. The service function SCF can derive this from the "InitialDetectionPoint" message of the INAP protocol, which message is used to interrogate the properties of network subscribers. For this purpose, it is necessary to incorporate into the INAP protocol an expansion of the so-called "ConnectToResource"
operation, specifically an additional parameter which supplies the necessary information relating to the terminals and data transmission protocols. To do this, use can be made, inter alia, of the information elements which are also used for interoffice signaling, for example according to ISUP ("ISDN _User _Part"), please see in this respect, for example, the ITU
Standard Q. 763 "Formats and codes of the ISDN user part of signaling system No. 7".
Data can then be exchanged between the application ATL of the terminal and the service SCF of the service control station by means of the conversion function DMF. for example, interactions can take place between the subscriber TEG and the conversion function DMF, said interactions being initiated successively by the service control station in, for example, the so-called "PromptAndCollect" calls of the CSl and acknowledged to the service control station by the conversion function DMF. In the process, data can be exchanged between service control station and conversion function DMF.
In the technical implementation, the data conversion function DMF is advantageously split into a protocol machine MSF to the service control station and an intelligent peripheral unit MIP to the terminal TEG
which fulfill the respective transmission and reception - 7a -functions at the interfaces to the service control station SCP and/or to the terminal TEG.
_ g _ An ISDN terminal connection is generally used as the interface for the peripheral unit MIP. In special cases, the intelligent peripheral unit may also be implemented within a service resource function.
Mainly prompt messages, for example as a "PromptAndCollect" command in CS1, are transmitted via the network-end interface between the data conversion function DMF and service control station. Within these prompts, use is made of predefined text modules for, for example, communication with the conversion function DMF, or texts which are to be transmitted via the terminal TEG are conveyed. The conversion function forwards the prompts to the terminal TEG and wait for a response, for example, an input by the subscriber. As soon as a message arrives from the terminal TEG, this is mapped by the conversion function DMF onto the interface DAP to the service control station SCP, i.e.
is forwarded by means of the INAP protocol, in the example to the service SCF as a result of the "PromptAndCollect" instruction.
As a further possibility, a logic application protocol can be included between the service control station and the terminal TEG. For this purpose, precise statements are made relating to the structure of the exchanged text information (strings). In this way, it is possible to implement a command language for administering service parameters of the intelligent network INW.
On the peripheral interface to the terminal TEG, the conversion function DMF forwards the prompts which have been received from the service function SCF
via the INAP protocol. This can also be carried out, for example, in the form of simple text menus if these are supported by the terminal. It is to be noted here once more that the exchange of data is carried out on the part of the terminal by means of a usual connection of the intelligent network INW, for example a telephone link.
_ g _ The following are possible exemplary application areas of the invention within an intelligent network:
1) Menu-controlled user dialogs for service subscribers, for example the registration and/or updating of subscriber data, for example for subscription to a service or changing call numbers for a call divert, and interrogations during operation, for example relating to the balance of a subscriber account or tolls which have been incurred. In particular cases, it is also possible to operate applications, for example even computer programs, on the terminal TEG, which applications communicate with application services of the service control station by means of interrogations or dialogs: this can be carried out within the framework of a logic application protocol as described above and/or in the manner of a client/server relation.
2) Connection of external monitoring and control systems or external database systems. This is particularly suitable for services of the intelligent network in which information is required which changes frequently and, under certain circumstances, quickly and to which the system of the intelligent network itself does not have direct access - for example a fleet management system in which information relating to the availability and the location of the vehicle is required to set up a connection to a fleet vehicle.
3) Transmission of messages by means of the service logic. Here, messages, for example facsimile, e-mail (electronic mail) or text messages of a "Short Message Service", can be transmitted by the service control station at a particular point within a service of the intelligent network - for example if a subscriber cannot be accessed, the service logic can - 9a -transmit, in response to a command by the calling party, a short message or e-mail message to the called subscriber which contains information relating to the connection which has not come about.
4) Connection to banks and credit card organizations.
The interfaces which are currently used for online authorization of account transactions are very complex and differ in form. This function can also be implemented using a data conversion function according to the invention. This enables the authorization procedure to be highly simplified in comparison with the service control service and standardized using the INAP protocol. For example, after it has initiated the connection between the data conversion function and the authorization point, the service control station transmits an authorization interrogation to the data conversion function. The latter processes the authorization protocol, possibly in a plurality of individual steps, and transmits the positive or negative result to the service control station.
The invention provides a rapid and direct way of accessing service parameters. In contrast to a connection via data networks, for example the Internet, this type of access is implemented on a reserved channel, i.e. the capacity of the data transmission is available during the entire connection. The response time is now predefined by the service control station and is thus generally fractions of seconds. The high transaction rates which can be achieved thus also permit frequent access to service parameters by network subscribers.
Owing to the use of a terminal protocol TEP, the character set which is used is, in contrast to DTMF
signaling, no longer restricted to numerals.
Furthermore, a bidirectional exchange of data is now possible. At the same time, a multiplicity of different terminals which are capable of handling data can be supported. In the process, no requirements, or only small requirements, are made of the terminal. As a result, no special terminals are necessary and it is possible to use communications terminals which are - l0a -already known, for example a PC which is equipped with a dialing modem or ISDN adapter and which has a terminal emulation. It is also possible to use a terminal protocol, for example for a mobile phone with an alphanumeric display. Furthermore, the link can be adapted to terminal interfaces of any desired complexity, the network-end interface to the service control station being unaffected. The various types of interfaces to data services and application protocols are exported out of the service control station as data conversion functions DMF. They may be of modular design and are made available in the network as required.
In contrast to the USSD signaling which can be used in mobile radio, the method according to the invention can be used universally and beyond the limits of a network. In such a case, it is possible, for example, to treat the link to another network in the same way as a connection to a terminal albeit with a suitably selected data protocol. Because the link is made via an intelligent peripheral unit to which a connection is switched, the invention can be used independently of the base network and of the interoffice signaling used there. As a special case, it can also be used in a so-called IN overlay configuration in which not all the network nodes are equipped with the functionality of a switching office of an intelligent network.
The invention is, of course, not restricted to the abovementioned exemplary applications, nor to the use of an INAP protocol, but is instead suitable for intelligent networks generally within the sense of the independent claims 1 and 8.
Claims (12)
1. A method for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network (INW) between a terminal (TEG) and a service control station (SCP) which is provided for executing services of the network (INW) and uses a service protocol (DAP) for exchanging data, characterized in that the exchange of data in the network (INW) is carried out by means of a data conversion function (DMF) which - contains a mapping function (MAF) which receives, from the service function (SCF) contained in the service control station (SCP), control information relating to the type of data format (TEP) used by the terminal (TEG), and - makes available functions in order to implement the data transmission protocol (TEP,TPP) for transmitting to the terminal (TEG) and an application protocol (ATL) on the basis of said data transmission protocol (TEP, TPP), the application-specific application protocol being mapped to the service station onto the protocol of the service function (SCF) of the service control station (SCP) which is to be carried out, and - receives via a first interface (TPP) data transmitted by the terminal (TEG), converts it into the data format corresponding to the service protocol (DAP) in accordance with the information received from the service function (SCF), and transmits it to the service control station (SCP), and - receives data in the service protocol (DAP) from the service control station (SCP) via a second interface (CCS7), converts it, in accordance with the information received from the service function (SCF), into a data format (TEP) which can be evaluated by the terminal (TEG) and transmits it to the terminal (TEG).
Claims
Claims
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a switching station of the network (INW) and/or a device assigned to it executes the data conversion function (DMF).
Claims
Claims
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the data conversion function (DMF) runs as a service resource function of the switching station.
4. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication of the data conversion function (DMF) with the terminal (TEG) is carried out by means of an intelligent peripheral unit (MIP).
5. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data conversion function (DMF) uses a mapping function (MAF) for converting the service protocol (DAP) into the data format (TEP) of the terminal, and vice versa.
6. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an application which exchanges data with the services running in the service control station (SCP) is operated in the terminal (TEG).
7. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data conversion function (DMF) is activated by the service control station (SCP).
8. A device (DMF) for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network (INW) between a terminal (TEG) and a service control station (SCP) which is provided for executing services of the network (INW) and which is used as a service protocol (DAP) for exchanging data, characterized in that - a device for carrying out a mapping function (MAF) which contains control information from the service control station (SCP) relating to the type of file format used in the terminal, and - a network-end transceiver device (CCS7) which has a first interface via which the exchange of data in the service protocol (DAP) with the service control station (SCP) takes place, and - a peripheral transceiver (TPP) which has a second interface via which the data is exchanged with the terminal (TEG) in a data format (TEP) which can be evaluated by the terminal, and - a device for carrying out a function which implements the data transmission protocol (TEP, TPP) for transmitting to the terminal (TEG) and implements an application protocol (ATL) on the basis of said data transmission protocol (TEP, TPP), the application-specific application protocol being mapped to the service station onto the protocol of the service function (SCF) of the service control station (SCP) which is to be carried out.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that it is provided in a switching office of the network (INW) or is assigned thereto.
10. The device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an intelligent peripheral unit (MIP) is designed as a peripheral transceiver.
-14a-
-14a-
11. The device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a mapping device (MAF) is provided for converting the service protocol (DAP) into the data format (TEP) of the terminal, and vice versa.
12. The device as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it can be actuated by the service control station (SCP).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19752607A DE19752607B4 (en) | 1997-11-27 | 1997-11-27 | Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and data-capable end devices |
| DE19752607.1 | 1997-11-27 | ||
| PCT/DE1998/003196 WO1999029119A1 (en) | 1997-11-27 | 1998-11-02 | Method and device for exchanging application-specific data in an intelligent network |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2311720A1 true CA2311720A1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
Family
ID=7850001
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002311720A Abandoned CA2311720A1 (en) | 1997-11-27 | 1998-11-02 | Method and device for exchanging application-specific data between an intelligent network and terminals which are capable of handling data |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1034666B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1108705C (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2311720A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19752607B4 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2183431T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999029119A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1124192A1 (en) * | 2000-02-01 | 2001-08-16 | peraro technologies ag | Standardized electronic commerce data exchange |
| GB2374256B (en) * | 2001-04-03 | 2003-05-14 | 3Com Corp | Method and apparatus for providing network access for PDA devices |
| JP5045724B2 (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2012-10-10 | 横河電機株式会社 | Device information setting device |
| CN102333087B (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2015-07-08 | 宇龙计算机通信科技(深圳)有限公司 | Communication method and service client, terminal and system thereof |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9201540D0 (en) * | 1992-01-24 | 1992-03-11 | Plessey Telecomm | Speech/signalling overlay |
| US5664102A (en) * | 1995-02-07 | 1997-09-02 | At&T | Intelligent network internetworking access arrangement |
| US5661790A (en) * | 1995-11-03 | 1997-08-26 | Ericsson, Inc. | Call back service for a regulatory restrictive area |
| EP0890269B1 (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 2002-12-11 | BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company | Peripheral control in an intelligent network |
-
1997
- 1997-11-27 DE DE19752607A patent/DE19752607B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-11-02 WO PCT/DE1998/003196 patent/WO1999029119A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-11-02 EP EP98961065A patent/EP1034666B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-02 ES ES98961065T patent/ES2183431T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-02 DE DE59805349T patent/DE59805349D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-11-02 CA CA002311720A patent/CA2311720A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-11-02 CN CN98811401A patent/CN1108705C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2183431T3 (en) | 2003-03-16 |
| CN1279862A (en) | 2001-01-10 |
| CN1108705C (en) | 2003-05-14 |
| DE19752607B4 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
| EP1034666B1 (en) | 2002-08-28 |
| EP1034666A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 |
| WO1999029119A1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
| DE59805349D1 (en) | 2002-10-02 |
| DE19752607A1 (en) | 1999-06-02 |
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