Patent ID: 7720048
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a controller; and a cross-connector coupled to the controller and disposed between a public switched telephone network and an internet protocol network, and wherein communication channels on the internet protocol network side of the apparatus are configured into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups are provided with group-specific identifiers used to identify assignment of the channels to the groups, and wherein a calling party or called party provides call signaling information which comprises at least one group-specific identifier designating which group will be assigned the channel used to route a call, and at least one of the cross-connector and the controller maintain group information and communicate the group information between each other, wherein the controller and the cross-connector are configured to use a control channel for conducting intercommunications, and the incoming communication channel is configured to carry an add command, and wherein the controller and the cross-connector are configured to use an optional field in an add command for carrying a group identifier.