Abstract:
Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for a virtual end office. The virtual end office includes one or more pre-switch adjuncts forming a single logical construct. Each pre-switch adjunct is connected to a local exchange switch in a telephone network and provides special services to subscribers. The pre-switch adjuncts have a common exchange prefix code and so a subscriber can access special services from anywhere in the network by using the same exchange prefix code, so long as the switch the subscriber is using is connected to a pre-switch adjunct.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/061,307, filed Oct. 7, 1997. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to data and voice telephony systems, and more particularly to providing services across a telephone network through a common logical source. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A switched telephone network typically includes one or more switching offices that serve subscriber loops of subscriber terminals (e.g., telephones). Such a switching office is referred to as an “end office” and contains as its major equipment component a local exchange switch (e.g., a “class 5” switch). This switch terminates the facilities that connect subscribers to the network. The local exchange switch also terminates interoffice trunk facilities (“trunks”) that carry calls through the network to subscribers served by other switching offices. The main function of the switch is to establish interconnects between pairs of subscriber loops connected to the switch or between subscriber loops and trunks, depending upon whether or not both subscribers in a call are served by the same end office switch. 
     The invention provides methods and apparatus implementing a technique for a “virtual” end office. The virtual end office includes one or more pre-switch adjuncts forming a single logical construct. Each pre-switch adjunct is connected to a local exchange switch in a telephone network and provides special services to subscribers, such as high speed Internet access or “video on demand”. The pre-switch adjuncts have a common exchange prefix code and so a subscriber can access special services from anywhere in the network by using the same exchange prefix code, so long as the switch the subscriber is using is connected to a pre-switch adjunct. This common access forms the virtual end office. 
     In general, in one aspect, the technique includes receiving a subscriber request for special services from a subscriber at a subscriber terminal, where the subscriber request includes an exchange prefix code indicating the virtual end office; transmitting the subscriber request to a local exchange switch connected to the subscriber terminal; transmitting the subscriber request to a pre-switch adjunct which is assigned the exchange prefix code of the virtual end office, where the pre-switch adjunct is connected to the local exchange switch and to the subscriber terminal; and providing special services to the subscriber terminal from the pre-switch adjunct. 
     Advantages of the technique includes one or more of the following: the special services are implemented by equipment (i.e., the pre-switch adjunct) installed such that the equipment interfaces both to the facilities that connect the subscriber to the switch (i.e., the subscriber&#39;s line) and to the switch; the pre-switch adjunct permits normal use of the subscriber&#39;s line to receive calls and when dialing numbers that do not access the special services (i.e., voice calls); logging of a call requesting special services can be implemented by the switch, for billing or other purposes; examination of the dialed number is based upon existing network capabilities, such as centrally defined toll-free numbers; recognition during the call that the subscriber&#39;s line is engaged, enabling a busy signal to be returned to callers attempting to dial the subscriber from elsewhere in the network; correct functioning of enhanced services associated with the subscriber, including but not limited to call forwarding and voice mail; the traffic on the telephone network is reduced by diverting special service calls at the pre-switch adjunct; special services which cannot be provided over the telephone network are made available through a direct connection between the subscriber terminal and the pre-switch adjunct; and all of the above can be obtained without modification to the functional implementation of the local exchange switch (notably, its stored program control software). 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A shows the relationship between a switch, an adjunct in accordance with the invention, and a subscriber. 
     FIG. 1B is a block diagram of pre-switch adjunct in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a basic form of a virtual end office in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram of directory number structure. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart of providing special services according to the invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual end office configuration using the SS 7  standard for common channel signaling. 
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1A, in a telephone network  100 , a pre-switch adjunct  105  is interposed between a subscriber terminal  110  and a local exchange switch  115 . The pre-switch adjunct  105  provides special services to a subscriber, such as “video on demand” or high speed Internet access. The local exchange switch  115  preferably is a class  5  local exchange switch, though alternatively may be another type of network switch. The pre-switch adjunct  105  is connected to the local exchange switch  115  by a line interface  120  and a trunk group  125 . The pre-switch adjunct  105  is connected to the subscriber terminal by a subscriber line  130 . The subscriber line  130  is preferably a conventional twisted pair line as used in the public telephone network. The pre-switch adjunct  105  may electrically terminate both the subscriber line  130  and the line interface  120  to the local exchange switch  115 , or the subscriber line  130  may be electrically connected to the local exchange switch  115  and to the pre-switch adjunct  105  in parallel. In a network including multiple local exchange switches, the local exchange switch  115  is connected to other local exchange switches through additional trunk groups  132 . 
     The subscriber line  136  carries both “signaling” (i.e., information indicating the intended recipient of the call, such as a phone number) and “payload” (i.e., information to be received by the recipient, such as voice information). The pre-switch adjunct  105  passes both signaling and payload to the switch  115  through the line interface  120 . The switch  115  uses the signaling to route the call, as described below. For example, for a call requesting special services implemented by the pre-switch adjunct  105 , the switch  115  establishes a connection to the pre-switch adjunct  105  through the trunk group  125 , as described below. The switch  115  passes the signaling and payload along according to the route selected. The switch  115  can add additional information as appropriate for additional control within the telephone network  100 . 
     The pre-switch adjunct  105  provides special services to a subscriber accessing the telephone network  100  through the subscriber terminal  110 . The pre-switch adjunct  105  interfaces both to the facilities that connect the subscriber terminal  110  to the local exchange switch  115  (i.e., the subscriber line  130 ) and to the local exchange switch  115  (i.e., the line interface  120 ). As shown in FIG. 1B, the pre-switch adjunct  105  preferably includes a blocking component  106 . The blocking component  106  establishes or breaks the connection between the subscriber line  130  and the line interface  120 . The blocking component  106  allows information from the subscriber terminal  110  to pass through the pre-switch adjunct  105  to the switch  115 . For special services which accept input from the subscriber terminal  110  which are not properly formatted for the switch  115 , however, the blocking component  106  disconnects the subscriber line  130  from the line interface  120 . In one implementation, while the pre-switch adjunct  105  is providing special services to a subscriber, the blocking component  106  replaces payload from the subscriber line  130  with “dummy” payload. The pre-switch adjunct  105  sends the dummy payload to the switch  115  so that the switch  115  perceives the call from the subscriber terminal  110  to be maintained, as described below. In an alternative implementation, the blocking component  106  checks the signaling when the subscriber terminal  110  initiates a call and intercepts calls directed to the pre-switch adjunct. In another alternative implementation, the pre-switch adjunct  105  does not include a blocking component  106 . 
     The pre-switch adjunct  105  also includes a receiving component  107  which receives signaling and any payload supplied by the switch  115  to the pre-switch adjunct  105 . The receiving component  107  uses the signaling from the switch  115  to determine which special services have been requested by which subscriber. The receiving component  107  preferably ignores payload received from the switch  115 . The pre-switch adjunct  105  receives payload from the switch  115  because the switch  115  passes the payload from the line interface  120  back to the pre-switch adjunct  105  as the switch  115  is unaware that the pre-switch adjunct  105  is not another switch in the telephone network  100 , as described below. 
     The pre-switch adjunct  105  includes special services equipment  108  which implements the available special services. The special services equipment  108  receives payload from the subscriber terminal  110  through the subscriber line  130 . The special services equipment  108  also sends information to the subscriber terminal  110  through the subscriber line  130 . Thus, the subscriber terminal  110  and the pre-switch adjunct  105  are directly connected. Depending upon the nature of the special services provided by the pre-switch adjunct  105 , the pre-switch adjunct  105  implements the special services directly, indirectly, or some combination thereof. An example of a special service implemented directly is “video on demand” and an example of a special service implemented indirectly is high speed Internet access. For special services directly implemented by the pre-switch adjunct  105 , the special services equipment  108  includes all the components necessary to completely implement the special services. For example, in one video on demand implementation, the pre-switch adjunct  105  includes equipment  108  implementing a database of available video presentations, such as movies, as well as the control components for providing the movie to the subscriber line  130 . A subscriber requests a particular movie and the pre-switch adjunct  105  sends the movie to the subscriber through the subscriber line  130 . Services implemented indirectly by the pre-switch adjunct  105  are implemented outside the pre-switch adjunct  105 . In this case, the pre-switch adjunct  105  acts as a link to such special services. The special services equipment  108  routes the information from the subscriber terminal to an external link  109  and on to an appropriate network or hardware. The external link  109  provides a data connection between the pre-switch adjunct  105  and the implementation of the special services, such as through a cable. For example, in a high speed Internet access implementation, the pre-switch adjunct  105  includes equipment  108  and an external link  109  for connecting the subscriber to a computer network which is distinct from the public switch network (i.e., the network  100  including switch  115 ). A pre-switch adjunct  105  which only directly implements special services does not include an external link  109 . Alternatively, the pre-switch adjunct  105  implements some special services directly and some indirectly. A particular special service can also be implemented so that some portion of the service is directly implemented by the pre-switch adjunct  105  and the remainder is implemented outside the pre-switch adjunct  105 . 
     To receive special services, a subscriber enters a request including a special services identifier through the subscriber terminal  110 , such as by dialing a number. The pre-switch adjunct  105  does not interfere with normal use of the subscriber&#39;s line to receive calls and when dialing numbers that do not access the special services (e.g., voice calls). The local exchange switch  115  preferably controls calls which activate the special services, though, as described above, the special services are implemented within the pre-switch adjunct  105  not within the switch  115 . Accordingly, the pre-switch  105  adjunct operates “on top” of the public telephone network  100  and does not require any modification be made to the network  100 . Additional advantages of controlling the call through the local exchange switch  115  and implementing the special service in the pre-switch adjunct  105  include: 
     logging of the call can be implemented by the local exchange switch  115 , for billing or other purposes; 
     examination of the dialed number is based upon existing network capabilities, such as centrally defined toll-free numbers; 
     during the call the local exchange switch  115  can recognize that the subscriber&#39;s line is engaged, enabling a busy signal to be returned to callers attempting to dial the subscriber from elsewhere in the telephone network  100 ; 
     enhanced services associated with the subscriber or subscriber terminal  110  can function correctly, including but not limited to call forwarding and voice mail; 
     the subscriber is connected directly to the pre-switch adjunct  105  so the special services need not pass through the local exchange switch  115 ; 
     the traffic on the telephone network  100  is reduced by diverting special service calls at the pre-switch adjunct  105 ; 
     special services which cannot be provided over the telephone network  100  due to the configuration and operation of local exchange switches  115  are made available through the direct connection between the subscriber terminal  110  and the pre-switch adjunct; 
     these advantages can be implemented without substantial modification to the functional implementation of the local exchange switch  115 , notably, the switch&#39;s  115  stored program control software. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, in a telephone network  200  using common channel signaling, such as Signaling System  7  (“SS7”), signaling follows an alternative path through additional equipment. In the case of SS 7  specifically, the signaling path terminates at a service switching point  235  (“SSP”, the SS 7  function that handles call control) associated with the pre-switch adjunct  205 . The SSP  235  is connected to an SS 7  signal transfer point  240  (“STP”), which is in turn connected to a local exchange switch  215 . The payload follows the same path as in FIG. 1, through the trunk groups and line interfaces. 
     Basic call routing in the telephone network is performed in a hierarchical manner. Each subscriber line has an associated directory number. To dial a subscriber within the same geographical area as the caller, the caller generally enters the directory number of the intended subscriber. To dial a subscriber in a different geographical area, additional digits are typically dialed before the directory number; the additional digits identify the geographical area in which the intended subscriber is located through an area code. 
     The geographical area within which dialing can be done without the use of additional digits generally encompasses a much larger number of subscriber lines than can be terminated at one switching office. The set of directory numbers within a geographical area are therefore divided among a number of end offices, each equipped with a class  5  local exchange switch. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the division of directory numbers among switching offices is based upon the leading part of the directory number  300 . This leading part of the directory number  300  is the exchange prefix code  305 . The trailing part of the directory number is a line number  310  used to identify the specific subscriber line at a switching office. Several exchange prefix codes may be assigned to a single local exchange switch. 
     This system of directory number allocation allows a switch to route calls it originates according to simple algorithms. The local exchange switch examines the dialed directory number  300  and determines a routing. For calls within the local geographical area, the exchange prefix code  305  is examined first. If the exchange prefix code  305  matches one of the exchange prefix codes assigned to the local exchange switch, the call is handled completely within the local exchange switch; no trunks are used. In this case, the line number  310  of the directory number  300  is used to select the intended subscriber line and to complete the call. The local exchange switch rings the dialed subscriber line and establishes the interconnect internally. 
     For calls to directory numbers  300  which are not on the same local exchange switch, the local exchange switch uses the exchange prefix code  305  to determine routing. Many of the trunk groups terminating at the switch connect to other end offices (“peer switches”). Each of these trunk groups is associated with the exchange prefix code  305  assigned to the peer switch terminating the remote end of the trunk. The call is routed on a trunk group corresponding to a peer end office assigned to the exchange prefix code  305  of the dialed directory number  300 . The local exchange switch selects an appropriate trunk and forwards the call signaling information, including the dialed directory number  300 , to the peer local exchange switch at the other end of the trunk. For trunks employing common channel signaling, such as SS 7 , the signaling is transmitted on a separate signaling facility. For trunks employing in-band, or trunk associated, signaling information is encoded and transmitted on the trunk facility itself, such as through multi-frequency tone signaling. 
     For calls which begin with an area code indicating a non-routable directory number, such as an “800” number, there is no mapping from the structure of the directory number onto the geography of the telephone network. The pieces of the 800 number do not correspond to an exchange prefix code  305  and a line number  310 . The local exchange switch forwards the dialed number through the SS 7  signaling facilities to a central database called a service control point (“SCP”). The SCP finds the 800 number in the SCP&#39;s database and finds a corresponding routable directory number. The routable directory number is an ordinary directory number  300  with an area code, exchange prefix code  305 , and line number  310 . The routable number is returned via the SS 7  facilities to the originating local exchange switch. This routable number can be local to the switch, can be on another switch in the same area code, or can be a long distance number with a different area code. The originating local exchange switch routes the call as if the customer had dialed the routable number directly, although the billing shows that an non-routable number was dialed (e.g., an 800 number is toll-free). The translated routable number can be a directory number assigned to the pre-switch adjunct to access special services, as described below. 
     Once the call is accepted by the peer switch, an interconnect channel is established. Subscriber traffic, either voice information or other data, is carried between the line and the trunk via the interconnect channel. 
     The local exchange switch functionality described above is the same for those subscriber lines attached to a pre-switch adjunct and for those with no pre-switch adjunct attachment. Thus, the local exchange switch operates in the same way whether connected to a pre-switch adjunct or not and may be unaware of the existence of the virtual end office in the network entirely. 
     To provide subscriber access to the special services implemented by a pre-switch adjunct, some directory numbers are assigned to the special services. The subscriber activates a special service by dialing one of these numbers from a subscriber terminal (e.g., a telephone) on a subscriber line to which the adjunct is attached. For some special services, the pre-switch adjunct may initiate a call to a subscriber terminal as well. Dialing a number which is not assigned to the special services gives the same result to the subscriber as that given to a subscriber whose line is not connected to the adjunct, i.e., dialing an ordinary number is handled in the normal manner. To implement the virtual end office, common exchange prefix codes  305  are assigned to the pre-switch adjuncts throughout the network. Thus, the special services can be accessed directly from any subscriber terminal connected to a pre-switch adjunct using the same directory number  300 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, in a process  400  of establishing a connection in a telephone network including a virtual end office, a subscriber requests a voice call, i.e., a call to a number not assigned to special services, in the conventional manner of dialing a directory number (step  405 ). The directory number passes directly to the local exchange switch without modification by the pre-switch adjunct (step  410 ). The local exchange switch examines the dialed number and, in this case, determines that the call should be routed to another subscriber line on this local exchange switch (step  415 ) or onto a trunk to another switching office (step  420 ). A voice call generates no activity on trunks terminated on the pre-switch adjunct, and the special service function of the pre-switch adjunct is not activated. 
     Voice calls may also be directed to the subscriber in the conventional manner. The caller dials the directory number of the subscriber line. The local exchange switch connected to the called subscriber rings the subscriber line and establishes the connection. The pre-switch adjunct and the special services are not activated. 
     A subscriber requests a special services call, i.e., a call to a number assigned to special services, in the same way as with a voice call, by dialing a directory number (step  405 ). The local exchange switch receives the number without modification by the pre-switch adjunct (step  410 ). The local exchange switch examines the dialed number and, in this case, recognizes that the call should be routed to a trunk terminated on the pre-switch adjunct. In routing the call via the selected trunk, the local exchange switch transmits call setup signaling to the pre-switch adjunct, either on the trunk itself or via a common channel signaling path (step  425 ). Upon being signaled that a call is being set up, the pre-switch adjunct recognizes that a subscriber is accessing special services, and the appropriate special service or services is activated (step  430 ). The pre-switch adjunct may also use information delivered with the call setup signaling, including automatic number identification (ANI), dialed number indication (DNI), and any special services parameters. In particular, the adjunct may use the ANI information to identify which subscriber line is accessing its special service. The pre-switch adjunct preferably establishes a direct connection between the pre-switch adjunct and the subscriber terminal through the subscriber line. Thus, the pre-switch adjunct bypasses the local exchange switch to provide special services to the subscriber. The local exchange switch maintains the connection to indicate the subscriber line is in use, as described above. When the subscriber terminates the special services, the pre-switch adjunct releases the connection to the subscriber terminal from the pre-switch adjunct and the local exchange switch releases the connection between the subscriber terminal and the local exchange switch. 
     In one implementation, the special service of the pre-switch adjunct may cause the pre-switch adjunct to call the subscriber. To originate a call to the subscriber, the pre-switch adjunct uses its associated trunk group as if the pre-switch adjunct were a peer switch. The pre-switch adjunct transmits call setup signaling to the switch, either in band on the trunk itself or on a common channel signaling facility. The call setup signaling specifies the directory number of the subscriber line as the dialed number. The local exchange switch matches the dialed number to the directory number of the subscriber to identify the correct subscriber line, and rings the line. When the subscriber answers the ring, the local exchange switch completes the interconnect The adjunct activates the special services when completion of the call setup is signaled along the trunk signaling path. 
     The virtual end office includes the idea of allocating an exchange prefix code for the special services of pre-switch adjunct equipment, as noted above. The existing routing capabilities of the local exchange switches, such as those described above, are utilized to activate the special services of the adjunct. 
     At the local exchange switch, the trunk group connected to the pre-switch adjunct is treated as a peer end office trunk group assigned the exchange prefix code assigned to adjunct services. This same labeling is used at all end offices in which pre-switch adjuncts are installed. Therefore, adjunct services calls are accessed using the same directory numbers from any switch capable of the service, i.e., at which an adjunct is installed, within the local geographical area. 
     In the case of common channel signaling, the virtual end office is represented by a termination of the signaling channel. To maintain the appearance of a single virtual end office to which all special services calls are routed, a single signaling code is used to access the special services throughout the network. The SS 7  network routes that code through an adjunct signaling network to the pre-switch adjunct connected to the local exchange switch from which the request originated. The pre-switch adjuncts are “linked” together through the same code to form the virtual end office. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a network  500  including a virtual end office  550  using SS 7  for common channel signaling. SS 7  signaling paths terminate at end office switches  515  in the SSP function. Conventionally, this SSP function typically is incorporated directly into the local exchange switch equipment. The virtual end office  550  terminates its SS 7  signaling path in a SS 7  gateway  555  that emulates the SSP function. 
     As special services calls are processed by the end office switches  515 , the end office switches  515  send call setup information to what appears to the end office switches  515  to be another end office switch, but is actually the SS 7  gateway  555 . The SS 7  gateway  555  relays call setup signaling information back to the pre-switch adjunct  505  at the originating end office switch  515 . The pre-switch adjunct  505  then activates the special service. Payload of the calls, such as voice information or dummy payload information, is transmitted across the trunk groups. The common representation of pre-switch adjuncts with a single exchange prefix code is indicated in FIG. 5 by the dashed virtual end office  550  and dashed lines connecting the virtual end office  550  to the trunk groups. 
     One example application of the virtual end office invention is to provide high speed modem access to digital data services, such as the Internet. In this application, the pre-switch adjunct includes a modem platform. The modems are not constrained by the speed limitations imposed by the local exchange switch because the pre-switch adjunct connects directly to the subscriber line. 
     A subscriber accesses the Internet by dialing a directory number assigned to a high speed digital data service. The local exchange switch passes the call setup information to the pre-switch adjunct on the trunk group connecting the pre-switch adjunct to the local exchange switch. Upon receipt of the call setup signaling by the pre-switch adjunct, the pre-switch adjunct activates the high speed modem, and a connection is established between the subscriber terminal and the pre-switch adjunct. Thus, the subscriber&#39;s data is passed directly from the Internet through the pre-switch adjunct to the subscriber line. Although a call remains established through the local exchange switch for the duration of the subscriber&#39;s Internet access, no modem data is actually transmitted through the local exchange switch connection or the trunk circuit. 
     The local exchange switch logs a record of the call just as with any other call. The directory number of the call identifies it as a special services call, in this case, an Internet access call. During the Internet access call, the subscriber&#39;s line appears engaged due to the call connection maintained through the local exchange switch. Calls attempted to the subscriber are handled appropriately, with a busy signal or perhaps a voice mail service. 
     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the pre-switch adjunct can be implemented as separate adjuncts for each subscriber line or a single adjunct positioned immediately before the switch. The invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.