Abstract:
An advanced intelligent network for use with a call model can include a service logic execution environment (SLEE), at least one service application executing in the SLEE, and at least one generic service component communicatively linked to the service application. The generic service component can include an interface to a second service application which is external to the SLEE.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    This invention relates to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to generic service components for use with a service logic execution environment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The development of the open network application programming interface (API) represents an important departure from traditional methods for opening the architecture of the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Presently, the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) architecture defines a call model which allowes the creation of telecommunications service applications outside of the switch environment. Telecommunications service applications are a la carte telecommunications applications which can perform enhanced services for a telecommunications session established among two or more parties. Exemplary service applications can include Call Waiting, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Voice Activated Dialing, and Meet-me Conferencing.  
           [0005]    When AIN first had been introduced, in terms of the service application creation process, the AIN architecture represented an important advance. AIN separated service development from switching, allowing service logic components to be developed more quickly and placed in specialized network elements attached to databases. Switches, in turn, being free from all service logic, could be optimized for speed and efficiency. Still, typical service applications developed to the AIN specification are written in specialized languages by specially trained programmers using specialized service creation environments.  
           [0006]    Importantly, future telecommunications networks will be characterized by new and evolving network architectures where packet-switched, circuit-switched, and wireless networks are integrated to offer subscribers an array of innovative multimedia, multiparty applications. Equally important, it is expected that the process by which telecommunications applications are developed will change, and will no longer solely be the domain of the telecommunications network or service application provider. In fact, in order to provide a broad portfolio of novel, compelling applications rapidly, service application providers will increasingly turn to third-party applications developers and software vendors. Thus, application development in the telecommunications domain will become more similar to that in software and information technology in general, with customers reaping the benefits of increased competition, reduced time to market, and the rapid leveraging of new technology as it is developed.  
           [0007]    To make this vision a reality, the principles of AIN have been discarded in favor of a new service application component development paradigm. Specifically, it has been recognized that future integrated networks must offer application developers a set of standard, open APIs so that applications written for compatibility with one vendor&#39;s system can execute in the system of another vendor. In consequence, the cost of applications development can be amortized, reducing the final cost to the customer. Java APIs for Integrated Networks (JAIN) fulfills the requirements of the new service application component development paradigm. Presently, JAIN includes standard, open published Java APIs for next-generation systems consisting of integrated Internet Protocol (IP) or asynchronous transport mode (ATM) networks, PSTN, and wireless networks. The JAIN APIs include interfaces at the protocol level, for different protocols such as Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Transactional Capabilities Application Part (TCAP), as well as protocols residing in the higher layers of the telecommunications protocol stack.  
           [0008]    JAIN includes a set of integrated network APIs for the Java platform and an environment to build and integrate JAIN components into services or applications that work across PSTN, packet and wireless networks. The JAIN approach integrates wireline, wireless, and packet-based networks by separating service-based logic from network-based logic. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional JAIN implementation. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional JAIN implementation can include a protocol layer  102  which can include interfaces to IP, wireline and wireless signaling protocols. These protocols can include TCAP, ISUP, INAP, MAP, SIP, MGCP, and H.323. The JAIN implementation also can include a signaling layer  103  which can include interfaces to provide connectivity management and call control. The conventional JAIN implementation also can include an application layer  104  for handling secure network access and other external services. Finally, the conventional JAIN implementation can include a service layer  106  which can include a service creation and carrier grade service logic execution environment (SLEE)  108 .  
           [0009]    In JAIN, the protocol layer  102  and the signaling layer  103  are based upon a Java standardization of specific signaling protocols and provide standardized protocol interfaces in an object model. Additionally, applications and protocol stacks can be interchanged, all the while providing a high degree of portability to the applications in the application layer using protocol stacks from different sources. By comparison, the application layer  104  provides a single call model across all supported protocols in the protocol layer  102 . Fundamentally, the application layer  104  provides a single state machine for multiparty, multimedia, and multiprotocol sessions for service components in the application layer  104 . This state machine is accessible by trusted applications that execute in the application layer  104  through a call control API.  
           [0010]    Notably, applications or services executing at the service level  102  can communicate directly with protocol adapters in the SLEE  108 . Protocol adapters typically are class methods, callbacks, event or interfaces that encapsulate the underlying resources such as TCAP, MGCP, etc. The underlying resources can be implemented in many programming languages, but a JAIN-conformant protocol product must provide at least the relevant JAIN API. In contrast, an external application or service executing in the application layer  104  does not have to be aware of the underlying resources and can remain oblivious to the fact that some of its session or call legs may be using different protocols.  
           [0011]    Service components  112  are the core JAIN components and can execute in the SLEE  108 . More particularly, service components  112  are constructed according to a standard component model and, instantiations of component assemblies can execute in coordination with the SLEE  108 . Using information regarding the protocol layer  102  which can be incorporated into the SLEE  108 , service components  112  can interact with the underlying protocol stacks without having specific knowledge of the protocol stack. Thus, service components  112  can use the call model provided by the signaling layer to implement telephony services. More importantly, the SLEE  108  can relieve the service components  112  of conventional lifecycle responsibilities by providing portable support for transactions, persistence, load balancing, security, and object and connection instance pooling. In this way, the service components  112  can focus on providing telephony services.  
           [0012]    Despite the advantages provided by JAIN, however, the development of a telecommunications service application still requires knowledge of many disparate communications interfaces and protocols for accessing service application and functions. For example, service applications such as call blocking or call forwarding, in addition to service components for accessing the call model, can require access to directory services or other proprietary databases for accessing information to implement the call model. For example, access to directory services can require knowledge of lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP). Access to a particular database can require knowledge of DB2, MQSeries, or another proprietary protocol. Accordingly, though service components  112  of the prior art can provide a standard component model for accessing the signaling layer  103 , a telecommunication service application developer still needs a familiarity with the many disparate protocols for accessing various application service applications to successfully develop a service application.  
           [0013]    The number of persons having the necessary expertise in using a particular service application can be limited. As the service application becomes more complex requiring access to more service functions and protocols, the availability of skilled personnel decreases. Typically, the knowledge required to access a telephony service function or protocol when designing a telephony service application can be so highly specialized that only one person may have the necessary expertise within a given organization. Thus, the highly specialized nature of telephony service application development can result in increased developmental expenses and longer design cycles. Further, the complexities involved make recycling and maintenance of systems, features, and applications extremely difficult. For example, because the protocol and logic necessary to access a particular service functionality are included within the service application being developed, any changes to an underlying protocol can necessitate reprogramming of the entire service application.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The invention disclosed herein concerns a method and a system for providing a generic service component (GSC) for use with a service logic execution environment (SLEE). In particular, a GSC can provide a common application programming interface (API) for accessing a particular service application, including but not limited to, directory based services, database services, or messaging services. Correspondingly, each GSC can include the necessary functionality and protocol information for interacting with those service applications. Using the common API, service applications can be made available to developers in a manner which does not require the developer to have knowledge of any underlying protocols incorporated within the GSC. Rather, the service application developer need only be concerned with the functionality of each GSC which is to be called upon within the developer&#39;s service application.  
           [0015]    One aspect of the invention can include an advanced intelligent network for use with a call model. The invention can include a SLEE, at least one service application executing in the SLEE, and at least one GSC communicatively linked to the service application. The GSC can include an interface to a second service application which is external to the SLEE.  
           [0016]    A second aspect of the invention can include a GSC in a telephony environment having a SLEE. The GSC can be registered with the SLEE. The GSC can interact with a service application capability and can include at least one client service instance. The client service instance can correspond to a service application which can be external or internal to the SLEE. Additionally, each client service instance can include a content interface for publishing an interface to the client service instance.  
           [0017]    The GSC also can include a service wrapper. The service wrapper can provide a common interface to the at least one client service instance for routing events between the SLEE and the at least one client service instance. The service wrapper can include a deployment descriptor for providing configuration information to the SLEE and a service interface for publishing an interface to the service wrapper. Also, the service wrapper can include a protocol stack for managing communications in the telephony environment. Notably, the GSC can interact with other GSCs, service components, protocol stacks, and external applications.  
           [0018]    Another aspect of the invention can include a method of routing events between the SLEE and a GSC in a telephony environment. In that case, the method can include the GSC registering with the SLEE and the GSC receiving a first event routed by the SLEE. The first event can correspond to a service application which the GSC has been registered to receive from the SLEE. Further, the first event can be from a protocol stack, a service component, an external application, or another GSC. At least one client service instance can be instantiated for communicating with a service application. The client service instance can interact with the service application. A second event can be posted to the SLEE responsive to the interaction between the client service instance and the service application. The second event can correspond to the interaction.  
           [0019]    The method of the invention can be implemented in a machine readable storage, having stored thereon a computer program for routing events between a SLEE and a GSC in a telephony environment. Accordingly, the computer program can have a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps of causing a GSC to register with a SLEE and the GSC receiving a fist event routed by the SLEE. The first event can correspond to a service application which the GSC has registered to receive from the SLEE. Notably, the first event can be from a protocol stack, a service component, an external application, or another GSC. The machine readable storage further can cause at least one client service instance for communicating with a service application to be instantiated. The client service instance can interact with the service application. Also, a second event can be posted to the SLEE responsive to the interaction between the client service instance and the service application. The second event can correspond to the interaction.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    There are shown in the drawings embodiments of which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not so limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an intelligent network architecture configured in accordance with a conventional JAIN implementation known in the prior art.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an intelligent network architecture configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of multiple exemplary generic service components for use with the intelligent network architecture of FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary generic service component.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    The invention disclosed herein concerns a method and a system for providing a generic service component (GSC) for use with a service logic execution environment (SLEE). In particular, a GSC can provide a common application programming interface (API) for accessing a particular service application, including but not limited to, directory based services, database services, or messaging services. Correspondingly, each GSC can include the necessary functionality and protocol information for interacting with those service applications. For example, a GSC for accessing a directory service can be configured to communicate according to lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP). Similarly, a GSC for accessing a database can include DB2 or other proprietary database functionality and protocol information. Using the common API, service applications can be made available to developers in a manner which does not require the developer to have knowledge of any underlying protocols incorporated within the GSC. Rather, the service application developer need only be concerned with the functionality of each GSC which is to be called upon within the developer&#39;s service application. Thus, the developer can devote more attention to combining the GSCs for accessing any service application or functionality needed for the service being developed. By providing a uniform interface which does not vary among protocols, and through which service applications and functions can be accessed, the invention disclosed herein facilitates faster and more efficient development of service applications.  
         [0026]    In another aspect of the present invention, the GSCs can communicate with one another, in addition to external service applications. The ability to communicate amongst GSCs enables the GSCs to be combined in a hierarchical manner. In particular, once a service application is developed using one or more GSCs, that service application can be thought of as a GSC in and of itself. Accordingly, once built, the service application can be accessed by other GSCs and incorporated within yet another service application which requires the functionality of the incorporated service application. As a result, the distinction between service application, shared service functions, and communications interfaces can be lessened. Specifically, each of the aforementioned, whether a GSC for accessing a service application or a service application, can become an object, in this case a GSC, within the telephony environment. Thus, service applications can access GSCs for performing service functions. Once built, the functionality of each service application further can be accessed by another higher level service application.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a JAIN-compliant intelligent network configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements. A JAIN-compliant network configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements can include a protocol layer  201 , a signaling layer  203 , an application layer  205  and a service layer  207 . The application layer  205  can host external third party applications  208  as well as service applications  330 . Typical third party applications  208  can suit mass-market demand for services such as virtual private networks (VPNs), inbound services and unified messaging. External third party applications  208  also can include short-lived and niche applications which can be deployed using un-trusted application space deployment technologies such as database lookup interfaces, downloadable mechanisms, and the Parlay API, as are well known in the art.  
         [0028]    The service layer  207  can include a SLEE server such as a JSLEE Server  200  which can be configured for compatibility with the JAIN specification. The protocol layer  201  can include one or more protocol stacks which can be configured to interact with the service components  112  and the GSCs  202  executing in the JSLEE Server  200  through a signaling layer  203 . Notably, the invention is not limited in regard to the number or type of protocol stacks. Rather, JSLEE Server  200  can interact with any protocol stack, for example those protocol stacks configured in accordance with the JAIN specification.  
         [0029]    The GSCs  202  can provide a common API for accessing service applications such as directory services, database services, or messaging services. A GSC can be built for each different service application. Moreover, a GSC can be built for each different protocol used by a service application. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of GSCs  202  can be included, each corresponding to a service application or protocol. For example, a different GSC can be build for LDAP, DB 2 , and for MQSeries based services or functions.  
         [0030]    The JSLEE Server  200  also can include several lifecycle management functions. In particular, the GSCs  202  can be properly loaded within the JSLEE Server  200  for execution. The JSLEE Server  200  can identify configuration and loading parameters associated with each GSC  202  to be loaded. Subsequently, the JSLEE Server  200  can execute the GSCs  202  using the identified configuration and loading parameters. Finally, the GSCs  202  can register with an internal event handling component in the JSLEE Server  200  so that events can be transmitted to and from the GSCs  202  executing in the JSLEE Server  200 .  
         [0031]    In operation, the JSLEE Server  200  can support the transmission and receipt of events to and from the protocol stacks in the protocol layer  201 . More particularly, the events can be transmitted and received in the event handling component included in the JSLEE Server  200 . Likewise, service components  112  and GSCs  202  which are registered with the JSLEE Server can receive protocol stack events directed towards particular ones of the service components  112  and the GSCs  202 . More specifically, the event handling component can route received events to service components  112  which have registered with the JSLEE Server  200  to receive such events. The service components  112  and GSCs  202  further can post protocol stack events to the JSLEE Server  200 .  
         [0032]    Importantly, the JSLEE Server  200  also can receive and transmit messages among GSCs  202 , service components  112 , and between a GSC  202  and a service component  112 . Specifically, GSCs  202  can be configured to post messages to the event handling component of the JSLEE Server  200 . The GSCs  202  further can be registered with the JSLEE Server  200  to receive posted events from other GSCs  202  and service components  112 . In this way, inter-GSC and service component communications can be made possible. Finally, GSCs  202  can be configured to receive events from external applications  208  through the JSLEE Server  200 . For example, those events which are received from external applications  208  can be posted to the event handling component of the JSLEE Server  200 . The events then can be routed to GSCs  202  that have registered to receive such events.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 is a simplified pictorial representation of the exemplary GSCs  202  of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a GSC can include a service wrapper  406  and one or more client service instances  402 . The service wrapper  406  can register with the JSLEE Server to receive a particular type of event corresponding to a service application  330 . Accordingly, the service wrapper  406  can include the functionality necessary to translate a received event and reformat that event according to a particular protocol. The reformatted event can be routed to a particular service application. The service wrapper  406  can instantiate a client service instance  402  for processing a particular transaction or one or more events. The client service instance  402  also can be instantiated for communicating with a service application  330 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with the inventive arrangements, exemplary GSCs can include, but are not limited to, an LDAP GSC  202 A, a DB 2  GSC  202 B, and an MQSeries GSC  202 C. For example, the service wrapper  406 , as part of the LDAP GSC  202 A, can register with the JSLEE Server to receive directory service events. As shown in FIG. 3, the service wrapper  406  has instantiated three client service instances  402 , one for each received event or series of events comprising a transaction relating to a directory service. Alternatively, a single client service instance  402  can handle multiple transactions. Thus, each client service instance  402  can interact with LDAP server  330  utilizing lightweight directory access protocol to access data within the LDAP server  330 .  
         [0035]    Similarly, the DB2 GSC  202 B and the MQSeries GSC  202 C each can include a service wrapper and one or more client service instances for interacting with the DB2 server  330  and the MQSeries server  330  respectively. It should be appreciated that a GSC can be built for any service application as necessary, including messaging services and proprietary services using proprietary interfaces and protocols.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the exemplary GSC  202  of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the GSC  202  can include a service wrapper  406  and one or more client service instances  402  as previously discussed. The client service instances  402  can be individually instantiated services. Each service instance  402  further can register with the event routing bus of the JSLEE Server. The GSC  202  also can include a service interface  408 , a deployment descriptor  410 , and one or more context interfaces  404 . The deployment descriptor  410  can be a document, such as an XML document, which can describe the proper parameters for initially loading an instance of the GSC  202  in the JSLEE Server. The service interface  408  can publish the interface to the service wrapper  406  to external objects. Accordingly, the service instance  402  can register with the internal event handling component of the JSLEE Server via the service wrapper  406 , and specifically the deployment descriptor  410 , to receive and transmit events to the protocol layer  201 , as well as service components  112  and the GSCs  202 . Notably, the service interface  408  can be included as part of an XML document. Also, is the interface to each client service instance  402  can be included as part of a corresponding context interface  404 , which also can be published as part of an XML document.  
         [0037]    The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A method and system for providing a GSC for use with a JSLEE according to the present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
         [0038]    The present invention also can be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program or application in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.