Patent ID: 6343325
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A method of establishing a call connection, through one of a plurality of exchanges (TEX) in a communications network, to a called terminal (TE) specified by a calling terminal and located in the geographical area (AREA) of a plurality of local line networks (LNA to LNC), each line network comprising one or more subscriber exchanges (LEXA to LEXC),wherein the calling terminal requests the call connection to the specified called terminal (TE) by means of a call request (CALL(N)) which is provided with a called number (N) assigned to the specified called terminal (TE), and wherein which of the plurality of local line networks (LNA to LNC) must be used to reach the specified called terminal (TE) is determined for the establishment of the connection, characterized in that: the local line network (LNC) via which the specified called terminal (TE) can be reached is determined by means of a learning procedure using the called number (N), wherein the learning procedure includes sending signaling messages (REQ(N)) to the subscriber exchanges (LEXA to LEXC) of the plurality of local line networks (LNA to LNC), wherein the signaling messages (REQ(N)) are sent to the subscriber exchanges (LEXA to LEXC) of the plurality of local line networks (LNA to LNC) in a sequence which is adaptively fitted to a subscriber response by continuously and statistically evaluating attempts to establish a connection to the specified called terminal (TE) of the geographical area (AREA), and wherein each of the plurality of local line networks (LNA, LNB) provides a return message (UNEQ) to said one exchange (TEX), in response to the signaling messages (REQ(N)), if the call connection must be established via another local line network due to the fact that no terminal is assigned to the call number (N) in the local line network (LNA, LNB) providing the return message.