FI105065B - Interaction mechanism for service in an intelligent network - Google Patents

Description

105065

Interaction mechanism for intelligent network services

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a mechanism for improving the operation of an intelligent network for providing interactive intelligent network services to subscribers of a telephone network.

5 An Intelligent Network (IN) can provide a large variety of services to a subscriber of a telecommunications network, such as a wired network or a cellular network. Such services include, for example, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which allows the use of short numbers between subscribers within a local network, and a Personal Number 10, where the intelligent network re-routes calls to a Personal Number in a subscriber-controlled manner. One example of such an intelligent network is described in the ITU-T Q-1200 Series Recommendations, of which the Q-1210 to Q-1219 Recommendations define a set of capabilities called CS-1 (Capability Set 1) and Q-1220 to Q-1229, respectively. ominai-15 ski set CS-2. The invention and its background will be described using the CorelNAP terminology of Recommendation ETS 300 374-1, but the invention may also be used in intelligent networks implemented in accordance with other intelligent network standards. For purposes of this application, the term "intelligent network recommendation" refers to the said recommendation ETS 300 374-1. The relevant part thereof is essentially Chapter 7, "Application Entity Pro-20 cedures" and definitions corresponding to the messages used in Chapter 9, i.e. 9.12, 9.21 and 9.22.

• «The Basic Call: State Model BCSM defined in the intelligent network describes the various steps of call control and includes the points where the · · · '/ call control can be interrupted to start the intelligent network service. It 25 identifies the Detection Point in the call and connection process where · ·: <t * 'where the intelligent network service logic entities may interact with the basic call and connection management capabilities.

In traditional, non-intelligent call design, · · · · PBXs independently make all call routing considerations. 30 The intelligent network architecture involves one or more Service Control Function (SCF). , which performs the tasks assigned to the SCF, is referred to as a Service Control Point (SCP) .For the purposes of this application, SCF and SCP are equivalent and will hereinafter be referred to as SCP. The SCP will provide 35 call set-up instructions to the exchange or ask the call center. for example, at some point in the call set-up B-2 105065, the subscriber's connection is determined to be busy so that the call can be routed to an alternative number.Figure 1 also shows other intelligent network elements, such as the Call Control Function CCF , which includes high level call concept functions of the exchange, such as establishing and releasing links. The Service Data Function SDF and the Service Data Point SDP form a database containing subscriber and / or service-specific information. Specialized Resource Function SRF is an interface to network mechanisms that interact with a subscriber. It may be related to the so-called. Intelligent Pe-10 ripheral (IP) more advanced speech processing functions than switches in general.

The Service Switching Function (SSF) is the interface between the call control function CCF and the service control function SCF. The network element that performs the SSF function is called the Service Switching Point (SSP). The intelligent network service is produced such that, when encountering service-related detection points, the service switching point SSP requests instructions from the service control point SCP through messages transmitted over the SSP / SCP interface. In intelligent network terminology, these messages are called operations. In connection with the intelligent network service, at the service control point SCP, a service program is executed which determines the operations that the SCP sends to the SSP at each call stage.

Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a prior art intelligent network at detection points. In step 2-1, the SSP sends the SCP an InitialDP operation which. : contains the necessary information to make a call. This is followed by arming of detection points in 25 SSPs. In step 2-2, the SCP sends a requestReportBCSMEvent operation to the SSP, which tells the SSP which encounters of the observation points it must report to the SCP.

• · ·

Next, at step 2-3, the SCP typically sends charging and / or interaction operations, such as FurnishChargingInformation (store intelligent billing information) or PlayAnnouncement (provide intelligent network-related communication to the subscriber). In steps 2-4, the SCP sends SSP a routing instruction, rX such as CollectInformation, Connect (Route the call to the new number), Continue (Release the same call), or ReleaseCall. In intelligent network recommendations, speech-35 generation is subdivided into certain coarse phases, known as Point-In-Call (PIC). It may be specified for SSP that, in response to Col-3 105065 lectInformation, it must continue to establish call from PIC 2, and in response to Connect, it must continue call setup from PIC 3, etc.

Observation points defined in intelligent network architectures are the primary mechanism for reporting various events. The events of Figure 2 described above relate to an observation point called the Trigger Detection Point (TDP). The SSP may make an initial inquiry to the SCP at such a TDP detection point and receive instructions for making a call. Another type of observation points is the so-called. Event Detection Point 10 (EDP). Steps 2 to 6 of Figure 2 show the point at which such an EDP detection point is encountered during call setup. The SSP reports the encounter point encounter to the SCP, which in step 2-8 sends it additional call setup instructions.

There are two types of EDP observation points. EDP-R (Event Detection 15 Point Response Required) means an observation point after which the call processing at the switching point is stopped until the SCP sends additional instructions. EDP-N (Event Detection Point Notification) refers to an observation point after which the SSP only sends a message to the SCP and proceeds without further instructions from the SCP. The property of EDPR observation points is that they become so-called. control relationship. Only one controlling connection can be associated with a call complying with the intelligent cost standards, and the problem with the EDP-R observation points is that they prevent more additional; ·; ·; provision of services. On the other hand, the problem with EDP-N observation points is,. '. 'that after encountering and reporting the observation point, the observation point is no longer armed. In addition, there are spontaneous, that is, non-observational operations. Such operations include, for example, the ResetTimer shown in steps 2-5, which the SCP uses to refresh the TSSF monitoring timer in the SSP. The intelligent network architecture described above can also be applied in a mobile communication system, whereby the exchanges EXC would be replaced by a mobile switching center MSC.

* * *

In Figure 3, the operation of the service switching point SSF is modeled ti: v. SSL FSM (Finite State Machine). The parts described in this step of Figure 3 are based on section 7.1.5 of said intelligent network recommendation. The state machine is assigned states a (idle), b (trigger processing), c (waiting for

: ...: 35 INSTRUCTIONS), d (WAITING FOR END OF USER INTERACTION), e (WAITING FOR END OF USER INTERACTION)

"": TEMPORARY CONNECTION) and f (MONITORING).

4, 105065

State a (idle) is a dormant state. Mode b (trigger processing) is entered after the tuned observation point is encountered. The processing of observation points focuses on state b. State c (waiting for instructions) can be switched from state a or b (or return from state d, e or f). In state c, the state machine waits for an instruction from 5 SCFs, call processing is interrupted, and application timer Tssf is set. The following events are possible: 1) the user dials additional numbers; 2) the call is released; 3) the application timer TSSF is triggered; or 4) an operation is received from the SCF. Of these, the latter event is the most interesting for the invention. Mode f (monitoring) is switched from mode c if a single dialogue between SCP 10 and SSP has ended (i.e., a routing instruction is obtained from SCP) and if there are remaining reportable points.

The state transitions between states a to f correspond to the following events: e1 (TDP ENCOUNTERED), e2 (TRIGGER FAIL), e3 (INITIATE CALL RECEIVED), e4 (TRIGGER DETECTED), e5 (USER INTERACTION REQUESTED), e6 (USER INTERACTION 15 ENDED), e7 (TEMPORARY CONNECTION CREATED), e8 (TEMPORARY CONNECTION ENDED), e9 (IDLE RETURN FROM WAIT FOR INSTRUCTION), e10 (EDP_R ENCOUNTERED), e11 (ROUTING INSTRUCTION RECEIVED), and e12 (EDP_N LAST ENCOUNTERED), e13 ( OF USER INTERACTION STATE NO CHANGE), e14 (WAITING FOR INSTRUCTION STATE NO CHANGE), e15 (WAITING FOR END OF 20 TEMPORARY CONNECTION STATE NO CHANGE), e16 (MONITORING STATE NO CHANGE).

In addition, events e17 to e19 which are not shown in this figure are defined. The most interesting of these for the invention is the e5, which is represented by the operation ««

ConnectToResource, and e7, represented by Operation EstablishTemporary-. *. : Connection.

Similarly, in FIG. 4A, the service control point SCF is modeled

*. "* operation with the state machine SCSM FSM (SCSM = SCF Call State Model). The parts described in this step of FIG. 4A are based on point 7.2.5 of said intelligent network recommendation. internal excitations and capital transitions in capital letters (for example • · · 30 “E2”) are related to external excitations. In this state model, the state of most interest to the invention is state 2 (Preparing SSF Instructions). It can be rested on ··! ·. child 1 (Idle) with state transitions e1 (SL Invocation, service logic excitation) or E2 (Query from SSF, query from SSF). From mode 2, the following transitions are possible: e4 (Processing Completed), e6 (Processing Failure) and e5 (Specialized 35 Resource Facilities Needed). Of these, the latter is the most interesting for the invention. In this case, the service logic has stated that additional information is required for the user and therefore a connection has to be established between the user and the SRF. This results in a state transition e5 to state 3, Routing to Resource.

Figure 4B shows in more detail the state transitions associated with state 2 of figure 4A. Of particular interest in this figure is the state 2.3 (Waiting for 5 Notification or Request), in which the SCF waits for a notification or service request from the SSF. From this state, the following state transitions are possible: E2.7 (EDP-R) receiving the EventReport-BCSMEvent (for EDP_R) operation; E2.8 (Not Last EDP-N) receiving an operation related to the EDP-N observer-10 header but some EDP is still armed or an operation is active; and E2.9 (Last EDP-N), where an operation associated with an EDP-N detection point is received, and the EDP is no longer armed and operations are not active.

One limitation of the known intelligent network architectures is that the service control point SCP is unable to interact with subscribers outside of well-defined EDP-R type observer points. This causes eg. the problem is that the SCP is unable to control interactive services related to events other than in the context of well-defined observation points. As a practical example, various time-related services, such as time stamps and time announcements, preamps, set call time control, and the like, can be mentioned.

Brief Description of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an interaction mechanism: * to support intelligent network services so that the above problem can be solved. The objects of the invention are achieved by methods and apparatus which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. kiosissa. Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the invention are non-dependent. claims.

· · 30 The invention is based, first, on the detection of a problem, that is, ·· ·. : To find a flaw in the intelligent network architecture. Famous Intelligence

• f I

thus, network architectures lack a spontaneous (not bound to observation points), ···, mechanism capable of interacting with subscribers.

«·

In addition to detecting the problem, the invention is based on finding a solution and correcting the problems in the 35 simple solutions. A simple solution to 6 105065 would be, for example, to produce an entirely new mechanism, i.e. new messages independent of the observation points, and corresponding state transitions of state machines, i.e. state models. However, completely new operations would bring considerable standardization difficulties. According to the basic embodiment of the invention, any existing operation is modified so that the above limitations are removed. The state transitions of state machines of network elements are supplemented accordingly. A suitable operation is, for example, the ConnectToResource (CTR) recommended by the intelligent network. For the purposes of this application, the term '' spontaneous CTR '' means a CTR operation according to the invention that is not tied to the existence of a controlling connection or to the processing of observation points. ConnectToResource is one possible operation in accordance with a recommended smart network, but other suitably modified operations can be used CONNECTION (ETC).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more parameters can be added to these operations 15 or to some other operations, such as PlayAnnouncement (PA) and Prompt-AndCollectUserInformation (P&C), to control subscriber-switched resources during the interaction. For example, these parameters can be used to select whether the notices to be produced and the beeps to be collected by the subscribers belong to both subscribers or only to one.

20 Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with the preferred embodiments I f,., With reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 2 i t, <,; Figure 1 shows the relevant parts of the known intelligent network architecture for the invention; Figure 2 shows the operation of the prior art intelligent network in the SSP; * 'And SCP; 3 illustrates the operation of a service switching point SSF by means of a tachograph;

Figures 4A and 4B model the operation of a service control point SCF by a state machine; and • · · *

Figure 5 illustrates monitoring of prepaid call time.

«<F i r

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 3, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, to extend the state machine SSF FSM of the service switching point SSF, for example, to include state d 'and associated state transitions e20 and e21. Otherwise, state d 'corresponds to 7105065 state d (waiting for end of user interaction), but is passed through and through different state transmissions. It is essentially a semantic question whether states d and d 'are distinct states. An alternative interpretation is that states d and d 'are the same state but have a memory that tells you which state it has entered. If it has been accessed from state c 5 by state transition e5, then it also returns to state c by state transition e6. Similarly, if it has been accessed from state f by state transition e20, then it is returned to state f by state transition e21.

The spontaneous CTR operation according to the invention corresponds to the space transfer e20 shown in Figure 3. A standard CTR operation is defined in Section 9.12 of the 10 Intelligent Network Recommendations. It has the following prerequisites: 1) there is a controlling connection between the SCF and the SSF; 2) Service logic states that additional information is required from the user; 3) the call party is not connected to any other party; 4) the control point state machine SCSM FSM is in the "Routing to Resource" state, in the "Determine Mode" sub-state, and 5) The service logic has determined that the SSF has access to the SRF, according to the invention it is proposed that spontaneous CTR operation 20 ), the prerequisites 1) and 3) are deleted and the prerequisite 2) is modified to read as follows: 2) The service logic states that additional information is needed from the user or user.

The state transfer e21 can be implemented under the same conditions as the state transfer e6_25 (USER INTERACTION ENDED).

·· * / So it was shown above how to connect SSF state machine SSF FSM

• · ·

is expanded by producing an extra space d 'and a spontaneous CTR operation. Alternatively, or in addition, a spontaneous ETC operation may be performed. A conventional ETC operation is defined in paragraph 30 9.15 of the aforementioned Intelligent Network Recommendation. It has the same prerequisites 1) and 3) as the standard CTR

· Operation. These preconditions must be removed. The only change shown in Figure 3 would be that the added space d 'would in this case be called state e'.

• ·

, ···. Referring now to FIG. 4B, the service control point SCF is considered

Proposed changes to the state model SCSM. In this case, the problem is 35 mm. the fact that there is no activity defined in the SCSM that would be triggered by an excitation independent of the observation point, such as the time wake up 8 105065, etc. Therefore, there is no standardized tool for modeling such a function in the said intelligent network recommendation. In Figure 3 (the state model of the SSF), state d was divided into separate states d and d '(or from state e to state e'). When operating in this manner, Figure 4B would become unnecessarily complicated, so that the changes in Figure 5B to 4B (SCF State Model) are explained so that some states have a memory that indicates how to enter and exit that state. Thus, Figure 4B does not show a pure state machine, since some of its states should be represented as two separate states, depending on whether they have been accessed by a conventional path or by extensions according to the invention.

10 In response to an external excitation (eg time wake or EDP-N)

encounter point) will enter state 2.3 (Waiting for Notification or Request). From this state it is possible to switch to state 2.1 (Preparing SSF Instructions) with the new state transfer E2.12 according to the invention to prepare the transmission of the CTR or ETC operation. From state 2.1, the normal transition is through state transition 15 e5 to state 3 (Routing to Resource), from there state state el to state 4 (User Interaction) and from there state state state returns to state 2.1. Thereafter, the state returns directly from state 2.1 to state 2.3 with a new state transition E2.13.

The state transition E2.12 may be triggered by a time signal, a pulse occurring at regular intervals, or by an operation received by the SCSM state machine in mode 2.3, such as ApplyChargingReport, CallInformationReport, EvenReportBCSM (for EDP-N) or EventNotificationCharging.

Thus, state 2.1 of Figure 4B is not an orthodox "state" because it has information about the state transition through which this state has entered. If state 2.1 has been entered by state transition E2.12, it must be exited by state transition E2.13 (which again no - 25 may be used if state 2.1 has been entered by a state transition other than E2.12).

j "* The above modifications to state machines provide a spontaneous, or • • · non-point-of-focus mechanism capable of interacting with subscribers. This creates some new problems that can be considered mainly as beauty flaws. some important announcement, this may be hidden under subscriber B, which can be embarrassing for A-tiffaer.On the other hand, interrupting speech at all times, including for less important announcements such as time / ·. signs, can also be distracting. '·] Situation where DTMFs are collected from subscriber A, which can be embarrassing to 35B subscribers, which can be corrected by adding one of 9,105,065 or more parameters to some of the interaction control operations speech interruption ai at least one subscriber for the duration of the interaction in service logic control.

If the smart peripheral IP is located at the switching point SSP, suitable operations may include PlayAnnouncement (PA) and PromptAndCollectUserInformation (P&C). These operations are defined respectively in paragraphs 9.21 and 9.22 of the said Intelligent Network Recommendation. Operations can be assigned a new parameter, for example, called DisconnectFromParty, which can be assigned a value of A or B, depending on whether the voice path is interrupted for A subscriber or B subscriber. Unless this parameter 10 is used (or its value is blank), the operation will naturally operate in a conventional manner, and the operation of the operation will fall on one or both parties, depending on the state model control. In the case where the intelligent peripheral IP is located separate from the switching point SSP, one possibility would be that the PA and P&C operations are transmitted via the SSP to the IP, and at this point the SSP detects, responds to, and (possibly) filters the added parameters. out while forwarding operations to IP. However, a better mechanism is that the CTR or ETC operation is supplemented with a parameter controlling the speech path cut-off. The switching point SSP should then restore the voice paths when the connection to the intelligent peripheral IP is disconnected by the next Release or 20 DisconnectForwardConnection operation.

The method according to the invention requires minor changes to some network elements. In practice, these changes can be implemented as software changes, no hardware structure changes are required. The network element SSP containing the service switching function SSF is required to include the extensions described in connection with FIG. Similarly, the network element SCP containing the control function of the ·· ** service SCF is required to include the extensions described in connection with Figure 4B. In some cases, a network element containing a special resource function SRF is required to recognize new parameters associated with PlayAnnouncement (PA) and PromptAndCol-30 lectUserInformation (P&C) to control subscriber disconnection.

The method according to the invention is suitable for providing intelligent network services outside the observation points, i.e. independently of them. As a practical example, various time stamps and time messages, monitoring of pre-paid call time, warning before and after the end of pre-paid call time, and collecting additional instructions from the subscriber during the call 9 10 105065 (DTMF tones). Figure 5 illustrates, as a concrete example, the control of prepaid call time. In step 5-1, call the smart network service. In step 5-2, the SCP requests the SSP to report certain events during the call. In step 5-3, the SCP gives the SSP an initial value of the prepaid call time 5. This can be done, for example, in an AppLYCHARGiNG message, but other messages can be used. In step 5-4, the SCP provides routing instructions and a call is established. The calculation limit given in step 5-5 is exceeded and in step 5-6 the SSP reports this to the SCP. The following events occur outside the observation points. In step 5-7, the SCP sends a 10 spontaneous ConnectToResource message according to the invention to establish a connection to the IP unit. In step 5-8, the SCP sends a PLAYANNOUNCEMENT message to the IP, and the IP provides the subscriber with an audible message. In step 5-9, the SSP reports that the IP has produced audible information and in step 5-10, the SCP disconnects from the IP. In step 5-11, the call is released.

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Claims (12)

A method for providing a call-related intelligent network service in a communication system, comprising a service control point (SCP) and a service switching point (SSP), the method comprising: 5. tuning a plurality of detection points to monitor certain events during a call; in response to at least some of the detection points encountering, the service control point (SCP) transmits to the service switching point (SSP) operations relating to said intelligent network service; 10, characterized in that, to provide an interactive intelligent network service: - the service control point (SCP) transmits to the service switching point (SSP) at least a portion of the operations associated with said interactive intelligent service based on an excitation independent of encountering possible detection points. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of said operations are transmitted on a time basis. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said communication system comprises an intelligent peripheral device (IP) and at least some of said operations that are independent of encountering the detection points comprises operations for establishing a connection to the intelligent peripheral device (IP). (I '' I The method according to claim 3, characterized in that said operations for establishing a connection to the intelligent peripheral device 25 (IP) are selected from the group consisting of ConnectToResource and EstablishTempo-raryConnection. • · · • · · A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of said operations involve instructions for disconnecting the connection to at least one call party (A, B). '<C 30 6. An intelligent network service control point (SCP) which is associated with a call:.,; Adapted to provide an intelligent network service: • «- to monitor a set of predetermined observing points to monitor certain events occurring during a call; 105065 - in response to the encounter of at least some of the observation points to send operations related to said intelligent network service to the service switching point (SSP); characterized in that, for producing an interactive intelligent network service, the service control point (SCP) is adapted to transmit to the service switching point (SSP) at least a portion of said interactive intelligent service operations based on an excitation independent of encountering possible detection points. The service control point (SCP) of claim 6, which is modelable as a state machine, comprising: - a first state (1), i.e., a dormant state; a second state (2, 2.1) for preparing operations to be transmitted to the service switching point (SSP); and a third state (2.3) for waiting for the message from the service switching point (SSP); - fourth party with the state (3, 4) to form a connection between said interactive call (A, B); and a plurality of predetermined first state transitions between said states, at least a portion of which are responsive to encountering a predetermined observation point 20; characterized in that said state machine comprises a plurality of second state transitions (E2.12, E2.13) independent of the observation points from the third state to the other state and back. I I I <<. . A service control point (SCP) according to claim 7, characterized in that it can be modeled as a state machine, wherein said second state (2, 2.1) is associated with information whether it has been reached by the first or: ** · through the second set of state transitions and, respectively, by the two state transitions • · · · *, one has to leave the second state. Service control point · according to one of claims 6 to 8 · !!! 30 (SCP), characterized in that it is adapted to transmit additional information in connection with said operations to be transmitted to the service switching point (SSP) so that the connection to at least one call party (A, B) can be terminated: [[ during. «« • · 105065 10. An intelligent network service switching point (SSP) adapted to provide a call-related interactive intelligent network service: - tracking a plurality of predetermined observing points to monitor certain call-time events and responding to at least some of the sensing points to encounter the service control point (SC); and - receive a service control point (SCP) and carry out operations associated with the observation points in the implementation of the interaction of at least one call party (A, B); 10 characterized in that the service switching point (SSP) is arranged to receive a service control point (SCP) and the take-havaintopis you independent of the operations to implement the interaction of at least one call party (A, B). A service switching point (SSP) according to claim 10, characterized in that it can be modeled as a state machine, comprising: - a first state (a), i.e., a dormant state; - a second state (b) for processing trigger conditions for the observation points; a third state (c) for waiting for operations from the service control point (SCP); 20. The fourth state (d, d ') of interactive or fas of the temporary connection with the formation thereof, said call party (A, B); a fifth mode (f) for monitoring events during a call; and: 'V - a set of predetermined first transitions between said states, at least some of which are responsive to a predetermined observation point:. Characterized in that said state machine comprises a plurality of second state transitions (e20, e21) independent of the observation points from the fifth state (f) to the quadrature state (d, d ') and back. • · · A service switching point according to claim 10 or 11: characterized in that it is adapted to receive additional information. · "" Information from the service control point (SCP) and in response to said additional information to disconnect at least one call party (A, B) in said flow: ,,; 'During an intelligent web service. «• · • · f» · I * • · 105065