MXPA99000368A - Method to redirect traffic on a network of communications for the conservation of resources of the - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a switched communications network redirects certain types of messages away from the switch to release switching resources from other messages, whereby the size of the necessary switch is reduced or the growth of the required switch size is retarded. Messages are redirected by smart hubs that can connect certain types of messages to their destinations without directing them through the switch. For example, messages between a source and a destination connected to the same hub do not need to be sent through the switch. Similarly, messages between origins and certain high-volume, long-duration destinations, such as data service ports, can be connected directly without passing through the switch. Smart hubs communicate with the switch over a control channel so that the switch remains aware of the state of each source or destination (for example, so that it knows that no attempt should be made to direct messages to a source or destination that is in us

Description

METHOD TO REDIRECT TRAFFIC ON A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NETWORK RESOURCES Background of the Invention The present invention relates to switched communications networks. More particularly, this invention relates to a switched communications network in which certain types of call traffic are redirected to prevent network switching, whereby switching resources are released. An example of a known switched communications network is the public switched telephone network. In this network, the individual subscriber lines are connected to a local switching office, the. which houses a large switch, capable of connecting a subscriber line to another line? the subscriber or to a main circuit that is connected to other switching offices. Each entry or exit line occupies a termination at the local switching office. However, the number of "doors" on the switch - that is, the number of lines that can be in use at any time - is smaller than the number of terminations, based on objectives "that Rfsf.29282 block the call". , which are based on the fact that not all subscriber lines will be in use at all times, and on the acceptability of non-availability of the door to a subscriber for a small percentage of time if the number of lines in use exceeds the number of doors. The known "call blocking" models are based, inter alia, on certain assumptions regarding the volume and duration of the calls. When the product of volume and duration increases, so does the number of doors. The number of doors provided in the switches has therefore been determined based on the traditional voice signaling routes. With a growing popularity, however, of on-line services such as the Internet, the existing assumption has begun to fail because of the increasing volume of voice-band data calls, which tend to have durations much longer than traditional voice calls. As a result, the number of doors provided in the existing switches can be very soon, if not already inadequate. So far, the only remedy for this situation has been the provision of more switching resources, either by providing additional switches, or larger switches. Because of the great cost of telephone switches, this option can not always be "practical." It may be desirable to be able to provide a method for handling increased volumes of calls in a switched communications network using the existing switching capacity or with an increased slower in the required switching capacity.

Brief Description of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for handling increased volumes of calls in a switched communications network using the existing switching capacity or with a slower increase in the required capacity and switching. In accordance with this invention, a method for use in a switched communications network is provided. The network with which the method is proposed to be used has at least one switch to direct the traffic of the messages from one of a plurality of origins to one of a plurality of destinations. The switch has resources to handle a predetermined maximum number of message routes at any time. The network further has (a) at least a first attached device associated with the switch to connect a plurality of sources to the switch and (b) a plurality of destinations connected to the switch, at least some of the destinations are some of the sources. The method effectively allows the excess of the predetermined maximum number of message routes without increasing resources. The method includes receiving a message on the first attached device from one of the sources, with the message that carries an address of one of the plurality of destinations. The message is passed from the first attached device to the switch. In the switch, it is recognized that the message must be redirected by moving away from the switch based on at least one of (a) that of the origins, (b) the address, faith) the information contained in the message, and (d) the information stored in the switch. A first signal is sent by the switch to the first attached device that instructs the first attached device to connect the message directly to that of one of the plurality of destinations. The message is connected by the first device attached to that of one of the plurality of destinations, whereby a connection path is established between that of one of the origins and that of one of the plurality of destinations. When used here, the term "message" refers to a series of signals, all originating in a first location and intended for a second location, containing both (a) a content of speech or data that goes to be transferred from -the first location to the second location, and (b) data that controls how the content of the vocal signals or data is transferred, such as the destination address. The term "message path" as used here, refers to a connection between (a; the switch that is handling a call and c) one? e (i) another switch or (ii) the origin or destination of the call. Therefore, for each switch involved in handling a particular message, there are two message routes. The term "connection path" as used herein, refers to a connection between the origin and destination of a call, including any switches or switches that intervene in the transmission, and any major circuits between the switches.

Brief Description of the Drawings The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts from beginning to end, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a known telephone network configuration to illustrate a known method of complementing a data call; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a telephone network configuration to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the failure or break of the functions between various components of the network during the operation of the method of Figure 3.

Detailed description of the invention The present invention releases resources from the switch (eg, doors) by redirecting certain types of messages away from the switch, handling them elsewhere. The description of what follows will be based on the context of the public switched telephone network, but the invention is applicable to any type of switched network. A known telephone network architecture is shown schematically in Figure 1. Network 10 includes a plurality of local switching offices 11, 12, 17 (three are shown). Each local switching office 11, 12 includes a switch 13, 14, 19 serving a plurality of subscribers 15. Switches 13, 14, 19 are preferably special-purpose computers configured for electronic message switching. A suitable electronic switching system is that sold under the registered trademark 5ESS® by Lucent Technologies, but other similar electronic switching systems can also be used. Although each subscriber 15 may be directly connected to a respective switch 13, 14, 19, the subscribers 15 are preferably connected to the switches 13, 14, 19 through the concentrators 16. The concentrator 16, which reduces the number of terminations required on the switch 13, 14, 19 by itself, can be a conventional digital closed circuit (DLC) carrier or other suitable conventional device as may be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The concentrators 16 may be physically located in the building or the switch 13, 14, 19, or they may be distributed in the field. Each of the local switching offices 11, 12, 17, in the known system 10, is connected to the other local switching offices 11, 12, 17, by main circuits 13. An Internet gate or gate 19, operated by an Internet service provider, could be connected to a particular local office 12. In a system such as the known system 10, each call that is complemented consumes at least two doors during the duration of the call - an entry door and an exit door on the switch to which the originating subscriber is connected, and (if the destination is on a different switch) a gateway and an exit gate on the switch to which it is destined is connected, if the destination is another ordinary subscriber, or a gate or gate Internet or other data service. As stated above, the amount of such resources provided in a system is based on the statistical assumptions regarding how many calls will be made and how long they will last. Calls that last significantly longer than the statistically predicted duration can lead to temporary inadequacies of system resources, during which subscribers can be blocked and can not receive or originate calls, or both. Another type of call that can be associated with the resources of the system, and which can be solved by the present invention, is an extensive call among neighbors - for example, between quinceañeras in houses close to one another. Any of these calls may require resources to be deployed. Additional switching, often at a great cost. A system 20 for implementing a call redirection method according to the invention, which reduces the need for additional switching resources to handle such call traffic is shown in Figure 2. In the system 20, a plurality of offices? Local switching 21 (one shown in detail) are connected by main circuits 22.

Each local switching office 21 has a switch 23, preferably similar to switches 13, 14, 19. The local switching office 21 also includes a plurality of intelligent hubs ("iDCL") 24, 25, which may be similar to DCLs 16, but modified to perform the functions described later. Smart hubs 24, 25, modified, preferably have the ability to communicate with switch 23 over channels such as those of a Basic Rate Interconnected Integrated Services Digital Network connection 28 ("Basic Speed Interconnection ISDN" or " BRI "). Each smart hub 24, 25 preferably also has some limited call connection capabilities, such as the ability to connect calls between two lines that are both connected to it, or between a line connected to it and a direct connection between it and another device. As described above in relation to the system 10, the smart hubs 24, 25 may be in the same building as the switch 23, or may be distributed in the field. In addition, they could be incorporated within the switch itself 23. In summary, a system with which the present invention can be used, can include any device attached to the switch 23 which performs the functions of the smart concentrators 24, 25 as described previously. Other conventional components, which may be required, such as a Digital Cross Connection System (DCS), may also be included in the local switching office 21, as would be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art. The system 20 also preferably includes an Internet gate or gate 26 housed in at least one of the local switching offices 21. The gate or gate 26 is preferably connected to the smart hubs 24, 25 of the local switching office in which they are housed, and preferably also to the smart hubs 24, 25 of other nearby switching office 21, by the connections 27. The communications on the connections 27 are preferably carried out using protocol conversion techniques, and particularly packet switching such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") techniques. Other techniques of fast packets, such as the techniques of retransmission of the images, can be used.

The operation of a preferred embodiment of method 30 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3. Method 30 starts at step 31 where a subscriber 15 initiates a call or message causing his telephone equipment to "hang". This call could be an ordinary voice signal telephone call, or it could be a voice-band data call to a data service on the line, such as an Internet service provider. This call is handled in the first case by the smart hub ("iDLC") 24, 25 to which the subscriber 15 is connected.

In step 32, the smart concentrator 24, 24 detects that the subscriber 15 is either scolded, connects the call to the switch 23 on a first route of the message, and identifies the subscript 15 with the switch 23. At this point, the switch 23 foresee the dial tone to the subscriber's line (see Figure 4 at 40). In step 33, the subscriber 15 enters the address information (eg, a telephone number, or other form of address in a non-telephone application) for the call, and this information is sent to the switch. In step 34, the switch 23 examines the address of the destination entered by the subscriber 15 and initiates the processing of the call. This processing includes the address for several databases stored in its memory. These databases preferably identify which types of calls can be or should be recognized as suitable to be redirected away from the switch to free resources from the switch. As described above, this could include (a) calls to Internet service providers or to any other large destination to which many users call and stay connected for extended periods (for example, airline reservation numbers "300"), or (b) calls for other subscribers attached to the same smart hub 24, 25. Accordingly, in test 35, the destination address is examined to determine whether or not it is linked to the same smart hub 24, 25 that is ei Subscriber of the call. This determination could preferably be made using a feature supported by the switch 23 which allows the switch to compare the telephone numbers entered with a database of stored numbers for a particular purpose. If it is determined that the destination address is attached to the same smart hub 24, 25 as the subscriber of the call, the method proceeds to step 36 in which the switch returns the call to this intelligent hub 24, 25 over a second route of messages, in the company of redirected information. Next, in step 37, the smart hub 24, 25 processes the redirected information, with the result that in step 38 the smart hub 24, 25 complements the call, connecting the originating subscriber with the destination subscriber. Substantially at the same time, in step 39, the smart hub 24, 25 disconnects the first message route and sends a disconnect signal to the switch 23. Next, in step 300, the smart hub 24, 25 sends a signal to the switch 23 indicating that the lines of the two subscribers are busy. In this way, switch 23 needs to handle the call in its entirety, releasing two doors for other calls. However, the switch 23 is notified that the lines of two subscribers are busy, and will not attempt to connect any call? And input to either of the two subscribers. Until otherwise warned as described above, the switch maintains its information status which indicates that the lines are busy, as it might be if the call were being handled (see Figure 4 at 41).

In step 301, the smart hub 24, 24 continues to check subscriber lines until it detects a hung condition, indicating that the call has been terminated. When this occurs (see Figure 4 at 44), then at step 302 the smart hub 24, 25 warns the switch 23 that each subscriber line is no longer busy, and method 30 ends at 303 so the smart hub 24, 25 is concerned. While the smart concentrator 24, 25 is carrying out steps 300-302, the switch 23 in step 304 disconnects all switch resources associated with the call that is processed and sends a disconnect signal to the intelligent concentrator 24, 25 with respect to the second route of the message. This allows the smart hub 24, in step 305 release all the resources of the smart hub associated with the second message path, which was originally initiated by the switch 23, and such the smart switch 24, 25 could therefore not terminate on itself. Step 305 is ordinarily supplemented before step 302. After step 302, the switch updates its status information for the subscriber line (see Figure 4 at 42) and method 30 ends at 303 with respect to switch 23 If, in test 35, it is determined that the destination address is not served by the same hub 24, 25, then the method proceeds to test 306 to determine whether or not the call should be redirected to the hub smart 24, 25 for some other reason - for example, the destination is an Internet gateway or similar data service (or one of the other types of special destinations referred to above). Preferably, this test is performed using the commonly available feature of switch 23 (for example, the Customized Dialing Plan, or the "CPD" feature of a 5ESS® switch) which, on a persuscriptor basis, may be adjusted or set to forward particular calls to alternative addresses; all subscribers of Internet doors must therefore have this feature activated for their lines, with the telephone number of the internet gate programmed for redirection to a telephone number representing the intelligent hub 24, 25. Alternatively, and in a more In general, this test must be performed by providing a new function in the switch 23 to examine certain information stored in the switch 23 to determine whether redirection is required. For example, the switch 23 could conduct a comparison of the destination address to a list of known addresses for the switch 23 (i.e., stored in its memory) belonging to the data service doors (or other special destinations). Another type of "trigger or detonator" for redirecting the call could be some information in the first call. For example, if the originating subscriber has the ISDN service, the call will include information indicating the type of computer budget of the consumer that originated the call. The switch 23 can be programmed to recognize that for certain types of devices, all calls must be re-addressed. Still as another alternative, there may be situations where any call from a certain origin must be redirected. If in test 300 the destination is not a data service gate (or other specific destination), then the call must be an ordinary call, which is handled by the switch 23 in step 307 in the ordinary course, and the method 30 ends at 303. If in test 3C6 it is determined that the call must be redirected to the intelligent hub 24, 25, then the system proceeds to step 308, where the switch directs the call to the smart hub 24, 25 on a second route for messages in the company of the redirection information. Next, in step 309, the smart hub 24, 25 processes the redirection information, with the result that in step 310 the smart hub 24, 25 complements the call, connecting the originating subscriber with the appropriate gate. In the case of a data call of the voice signal band to a service provider on the line, the appropriate door could preferably be connected to one of the connections 27. At this point, the subscriber can register on the service in ia. line (see Figure 4 in 43). As described above, connections 27 preferably operate using a fast packet switching technique (such as ATM). Having this portion of a data call - that is, the portion between the intelligent concentrator 24, 25 and the gate deriving the switch - is operated using a technique such as ATM, which is particularly well suited for efficient communication of the data, improving the efficiency of the method according to the invention. At least some of these advantages could be obtained using other protocol conversion techniques such as the suppression of redundant information. Substantially at the same time, in step 311, the smart hub 24, 25 disconnects the first message route and sends a disconnect signal to the switch 23. Next, in step 312, the smart hub 24, 25 sends a signal to the switch 23 indicating that the subscriber's line is busy. Until otherwise warned as described below, the switch maintains the information status indicating that the lines are busy, as would be the case if the call were being handledsee Figure 4, at 41). In this way, switch 23 does not need to handle the call in its entirety, freeing two doors for other calls. However, the switch 23 is aware that the subscriber's line is busy, and will not attempt to connect any incoming call with that of the subscriber, just as described above in relation to the case of two subscribers on the same smart hub. However, here the treatment of the "Waiting for Call" service is preferably different. Because this is a data call, which is known by the switch 23 as a result of the test 306; the redirection information in step 309 might have to inform the smart hub 24, 25 of this fact), then in step 312 the smart hub 24, 25 also sends a "Call Waiting Cancellation" signal for ia Subscriber line, to disable the Call Waiting service if it is activated for this line. Otherwise, a call waiting tone can interrupt the data call. In step 313, the smart hub 24, 25 continuously checks the subscriber line until it detects a hang condition, indicating that the call has been terminated. When this occurs (see Figure 4 at 44), then at step 314 the smart hub 24, 25 warns switch 23 that the line? the subscriber is no longer busy, and that "Call Waiting", if disabled, can be rehabilitated for the subscriber line, and method 30 ends at 303 for the smart hub 24, 25. that the intelligent concentrator 24, 25 is carrying out steps 312-314, the switch 23 in step 315 disconnects all the resources of the switch associated with the call that is processed and sends a disconnect signal to the intelligent concentrator 24, 25 with with respect to the second message route. This allows the smart hub 24, 25 in step 316 to release all the resources from the smart hub associated with the second message path, which was originally started by the switch 23 and such an intelligent hub 24, 25 therefore it could not end about himself. Step 316 is ordinarily supplemented before step 314. After step 314, the switch updates its information status for the subscriber line (see Figure 4 at 42) and method 30 ends at 303 with respect to the switch 23. The method 30 is also illustrated in Figure 4. In this representation, only the case of a call to a special destination, such as a service door on the line, is shown. Figure 4 is arranged to show the division of activity between the subscriber, the smart hub 24, 25 and the switch 23, and the signaling and control connections between the smart hub 24, 25 and the switch 23. Figure 4 it also shows the temporal sequence of the activities performed by the subscriber, the smart hub 24, 25 and the switch 23. Although the method according to the invention has been described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, where The types of calls that are redirected from the switch 23 are either (a) calls between subscribers on the same hub 24, 25, or (b) calls to data service ports or other special destinations, other modes are possible in which only one of these types of calls is redirected, or in which other types of calls are handled in addition to or in lieu of these types of calls. Furthermore, although the invention has been described in relation to a telephone network, it is applicable to any switched communications network in which there is a suitable type of message to re-direct it away from the switch. Although the method and the invention have been described in the context of the calls of vocal signals and the calls of data of band-vocal signals, it should be understood that the invention applies to any situation where there is a desire to redirect calls away from the switch, particularly, but not exclusively, because of the long duration of the calls. For example, in the ISDN service, certain of the many types of calls that could be made would be open to redirection in the manner of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is noted that a method for handling increased volumes of calls in a switched communications network using the existing switching capacity, or with a slower increase in the required switching capacity, has been provided. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other embodiments than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which are They give right away.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following are claimed as property or property.

Claims (61)

1. A method for use in a switched communications network, the network has at least one switch for directing message traffic from one of the plurality of sources to one of the plurality of destinations, the switch has resources to handle a predetermined maximum number. of message paths at any time, the network further has (a) at least a first attached device associated with the switch to connect a plurality of the sources to the switch and (b) a plurality of destinations connected to the switch, at least some? e destinations are some? e origins, the method is to effectively exceed the maximum predetermined number of message routes without increasing resources, the method is characterized because it comprises the steps of: receiving a message in the first device attached from one of the sources, the message carries an address of one of the plurality of destinations; passing the message from the first attached device to the switch; recognize, in the switch, that the message should be redirected away from the switch, based on at least one of (a) one of the sources, (b) the direction, (c) the information contained in the message, and id) the information stored in the switch; send a first signal from the switch to the first attached device; and assigning address to the message, based on the reception of the first signal in the first attached device, from the first attached device to one of the plurality of destinations, whereby a connection path is established between one of the origins and one of the plurality of destinations.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: one of the plurality of destinations is another source connected to the switch by the first attached device through which one of the sources is connected; and the address assignment step comprises connecting the message again from the first attached device to another source.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification .. e which origins are connected through which of the at least one first attached device.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the identification is a telephone number.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and when the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a fourth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, sending a fifth signal is the first device attached to the switch, notifying the switch that another source is available.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: one or the plurality of destinations is a frequent destination of the messages from the plurality of origins, one of a plurality of destinations is connected to the switch and has direct connections for each one of the at least one first attachment, and the address assignment step comprises connecting the message to one of the plurality of destinations on one of the direct connections.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification of each of the plurality of destinations that is a frequent destination, the messages for which they must be redirected by separating them? the switch.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the direct connections operates using the protocol conversion.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that: one of the direct connections is a packet switched connection, and the address allocation step comprises connecting the message using packet switching protocols.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the address assignment step comprises assigning an address to the message using protocols of the asynchronous transfer mode.

13. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that one of a plurality of destinations is connected to the switch by a second attached device that has direct connections to at least one first attached device.

14. The method conforms to claim 8, characterized in that the identification is a telephone number.

15. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises the cases of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and when the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: establishing a control channel between the switch and the first attached device; and send the signal on the control channel.

17. A method for use in a switched telephone network, the network has at least one switch to direct the message traffic from one of the plurality of subscribers to one of the plurality of destinations, the switch has resources to handle a predetermined maximum number of messaging routes at any time, the network further has (a) at least a first attached device associated with the switch to connect a plurality of subscribers to the switch and (b) a plurality of destinations connected to the switch, at least some of the destinations are some of the subscribers, the method is to effectively exceed the predetermined maximum number of message routes without increasing resources, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving a message on the first attached device from one of the subscribers, the message carries a telephone number of one of the plurality of destinations; passing the message from the first attached device to the switch; recognize, in the switch, that the message must be redirected away from the switch, based on at least one of (a) one of the subscribers, (b) the telephone number, (c) the information contained in the message, and ( d) the information stored in the mutator; send a first signal from the switch to the first attached device; and assigning address to the message, based on the reception of the signal in the first attached device, descends the first attached device to one of the plurality of destinations, whereby a route is established and the connection between one of the subscribers and one of the plurality of destinations.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that: one of the plurality of destinations is another one of the subscribers connected to the switch by the first attached device through which one of the subscribers is connected; and the step? e address assignment comprises connecting the message again from the first attached device to the other of the subscribers.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification by the telephone number of which the subscriber is connected to at least a first attached device.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a fourth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other subscriber is busy, and when the connection path is terminated, send a fifth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other of the sources is available.

23. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that: one of the plurality of destinations is a frequent destination of the messages from the plurality of subscribers, one of the plurality of destinations is connected to the switch and has direct connections to each of at least one first device attached; and the address allocation step comprises connecting the message to one of the plurality of destinations over one or the direct connections.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an entification by the telephone number of each one of the plurality of destinations that is a frequent destination, the messages for which must be redirected away from the switch.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that one of the direct connections operates using the protocol conversion.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that: one of the direct connections is a packet switched connection; and the address allocation step comprises connecting the message using packet-switched protocols.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the address assignment step comprises connecting the message using protocols of the asynchronous transfer mode.

28. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that one of the plurality of destinations is connected to the switch by a second attached device having direct connections for at least one of the first attached device.

29. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the frequent destination is an access point of a public data network.

30. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and when the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

31. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: establishing a control channel between the switch and the first attached device; and send the control signal on the control channel.

32. A method for use in a switched communications network, the communication network has at least one switch for directing message traffic from one of the plurality of sources to a destination comprising one of (a) one of a plurality of other sources, and (b) a gateway of a public data network, the switch has resources to handle a predetermined maximum number of message paths at any time, the network? and communications further has (a) at least one associated first attached device. with the switch to connect a plurality of the sources to the switch and b) a plurality of destinations connected to the switch, at least some of the destinations are some of the sources and at least one of the destinations is a gateway of a data network public, the method is to effectively exceed the predetermined maximum number of message routes without increasing resources, the method is characterized in that it comprises steps: e: receiving a message in the first attached device from one of the sources, the message carries an address of one of the plurality of destinations; passing the message from the first attached device to the switch; recognize, in the switch, that the message must be redirected away from the switch, based on at least one of (a) one of the sources, (b) the address, (c) the information contained in the message, and (d) ) the information stored in the switch; send a first signal from the switch to the first attached device; and assigning address to the message, based on the reception of the first signal in the first attached device, from the first attached device to one of a plurality of destinations, whereby a connection path is established between one of the origins and one of the plurality of destinations.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

34. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that: one of the plurality of destinations is another source connected to the switch by the first attached device through which one of the sources is connected; and the address assignment step comprises connecting the message again from the first attached device to the other of the sources.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification by the address from which the sources are connected to at least one first attached device.

36. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the identification is a telephone number.

37. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a fourth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other of the sources is busy , and when the connection path is terminated, send a fifth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other of the sources is available.

39. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that: one of the plurality of destinations is the gateway of a public data network, the public data network is connected to the switch and has a direct connection to each of at least one first device attached; and the address allocation step comprises connecting the message for the public data network on one of the direct connections.

40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in a memory associated with the switch an identification by the address of the public data network, the messages for which they must be redirected away from the switch.

41. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the identification is a telephone number.

42. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that one of a plurality of destinations is connected to the switch by a second attached device having direct connections to at least one first attached device.

43. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that one of the direct connections operates using the protocol conversion.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that:? A the direct connections is a packet switched connection, and the step? E address assignment comprises connecting the message using packet switching protocols.

45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that the address assignment step comprises connecting the message using protocols? And asynchronous transfer mode.

46. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the sources is available.

47. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of:. establish a control channel between the switch and the first attached device; and send the control signal over the control channel.

48. A method for use in a switched telephone network, the telephone network has at least one switch to direct the message traffic from one of the plurality of subscribers to a destination comprising one of (a) one of a plurality of other subscribers, and (b) a gateway of a public data network, the switch has resources to handle a predetermined maximum number of message paths at any time, the telephone network further has (a) at least a first attached device associated with the switch for connect a plurality of the subscribers to the switch and (b) a plurality of destinations connected to the switch, at least some of the destinations are some of the subscribers and at least one of the destinations is a gateway of a public data network, the method is to effectively exceed the predetermined maximum number of message routes without increasing resources, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps d e: receiving a message on the first attached device from one of the subscribers, the message bears a telephone number from one of a plurality of destinations; passing the message from the first attached device to the switch; recognize, in the switch, that the message should be redirected away from the switch, based on at least one of (a) one of the subscribers, (b) the telephone number, (c) the information contained in the message, and (?) the information stored in the switch; sending a first signal from the switch to the first attached device instructing the first attached device to connect the message directly to one of a plurality of destinations; and assigning address to the message from the first attached device to one of a plurality of destinations, whereby a connection path is established between one of the subscribers and one of the plurality of destinations.

49. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

50. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that: one of a plurality of destinations is another of the subscribers connected to the switch by the first attached device through which one of the subscribers is connected; and the step of assigning the address comprises connecting the message again from the first attached device to the other of the subscribers.

51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification by the telephone number from which the subscribers are connected to at least one first attached device.

52. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a fourth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other subscriber is busy, and when the connection path is terminated, send a fifth signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that the other source is available.

54. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that: one of a plurality of destinations is the door? Era public data network, the public data network is connected to the switch and has a direct connection to each of at least a first device attach; and the address allocation step comprises connecting the message for the public data network on one of the direct connections.

55. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that the recognition step comprises storing in the memory associated with the switch an identification by telephone number of the public data network, the messages for which they can be redirected away from the switch.

56. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that one of a plurality of destinations is connected to the switch by a second attached device having direct connections to at least one first attached device.

57. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that one of the direct connections operates using the protocol conversion.

58. The method according to claim 57, characterized in that: one of the direct connections is a packet switched connection; and the address allocation step comprises assigning address to the message using packet-switched protocols.

59. The method according to claim 58, characterized in that the address assignment step comprises assigning address to the message using asynchronous transfer mode protocols.

60. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: when the connection path is established, sending a second signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is busy, and When the connection path is terminated, send a third signal from the first attached device to the switch, notifying the switch that one of the subscribers is available.

61. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: establishing a control channel between the switch and the first attached device; and send the control signal over the control channel.