Patent Publication Number: US-2002003868-A1

Title: Method of service provision in a communications network and furthermore program modules and means therefor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing personal services for a communication means of a user, said communication means being connected to a communication network. The invention furthermore relates to a service computer therefor, a service server therefor, a service container therefor, a service computer module for a service computer and a service server module for a service server.  
       [0002] Known communication networks, e.g., so-called Intelligent Networks (IN), provide for communication means of users, e.g., for telephone terminals or personal computers of subscribers, predefined sets of communication services. To this end, in an Intelligent Network, for example, a global service control node, a so-called SCP (service control point) is linked to several so-called SSP&#39;s (service switching points) through the central signaling network No. 7. The service control point centrally controls the provision of one or more communication services for the service switching points connected to the service control point.  
       [0003] The service switching points a specially equipped communication network nodes. If one of these switches receives a special connection request from a subscriber terminal of the communication network, this information is addressed to a service switching function integrated in the service switching point, which in turn sends a service request message to the global service control point. Within the service control point, this request message triggers a service logic allocated to it, which then controls the provision of the communication service, in that it instructs the service control point, for example, to connect the special connection request to another destination telephone number or directs it to a service support system, e.g., to a so-called Intelligent Peripheral (IP), which issues voice messages or performs voice recognition.  
       [0004] If subscriber of a “home” communication network temporarily moves from its home network to a visited communication network, the subscriber expects from the visited communication network, that it provides a so-called Virtual Home Environment (VHE) which is a predefined set of communication services usually provided by home communication network according to a subscriber&#39;s personal profile. Even if the home communication network transmits the subscriber&#39;s personal profile to the visited communication network, the latter is usually not in a position to perform all types of communication services as defined by the subscriber&#39;s personal profile. For example, the visited network&#39;s intelligent peripheral (IP) is not able to perform voice recognition or, a service logic for providing a special communication service is not available in a service control point of the visited communication network. Even though the service logic was available, e.g. transferred from the home communication network to the visited communication network, a service execution platform able to execute the service logic may be missing in the service control point.  
       [0005] In another scenario, the subscriber&#39;s terminal is connected to a data communication network, for example to the Internet. In this case a predefined Internet server or a server cluster of the subscriber&#39;s home operator perform the personal communication services for the subscriber. Such services may be more data-oriented or more voice-oriented. Using for example VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) the user terminal is connected via the Internet with a service control point of the user&#39;s “home” communication network. Dependent on the current location of the terminal an accidentally long distance between the server and the terminal may cause considerable network load. Additionally, in this case the response time while using a service at the terminal is annoying.  
       [0006] In both examples mentioned the provision of the personal services for a communication means of a user is largely dependent on the architecture and the abilities of the respective communication network the user is presently using.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Accordingly one object of the invention is to provide personal services for a communication means of a user largely independent of a communication network to which said communication means is connected.  
       [0008] This object is to be attained by methods in accordance with the technical principle of claim  1 , a service computer in accordance with the technical principle of claim  7 , a service computer module in accordance with the technical principle of claim  8 , a service server in accordance with the technical principle of claim  9 , a service server module in accordance with the to the technical principle of claim  10  and furthermore a service container in accordance with the technical principle of claim  11 . Advantageous further effects of the invention will be seen from the dependent claims and the specification.  
       [0009] In this respect one principle of the invention is that a service computer performs the function of a network-independent service execution platform executing a service container that provides a personal service for user&#39;s communication means, e.g., a terminal, via a communication network to which the terminal is currently connected. To this end the service computer offers to the service container at least one network lock which is a predefined interface to the communication network. A service server operated by the user&#39;s home operator transmits the service container to the service computer, for example, upon a service request for the personal service transmitted by the user terminal. The service container contains a service machine managing the execution of the personal service for the user terminal. To this end, the service machine executes at least one service component, which is transmitted together with the service machine in the same service container. The service component might also be transmitted via another service container to the service computer. For the provision of the personal service, the service container uses the network lock which is for example an interface to a call connection to the user terminal.  
       [0010] The service computer is a network-independent and operator-independent execution platform for service containers and controls the access of the respective service container to the communication network via the network lock(s). Thus, pendent on the service computer&#39;s decentralized location the service container may be executed close to the current location of the terminal for which the service container provides the personal service. The operator of the communication network to which the user terminal is currently connected needs neither to run complex service execution platforms like the above mentioned service control points, which are especially adapted to the execution of predefined service logics, nor to provide dedicated service resource points mentioned like the intelligent peripheral (IP), which issues voice messages or performs voice recognition. The controlled access to the communication network is managed by the service computer, whereas the service server provides service containers that fit to the fit to the locks offered by the service computer. In essence, the operator needs merely to run a service computer having a simple structure, e.g., like the Network Computer in the JAVA architecture. The service computer executes a service container and offers to it a controlled network lock to the communication network. Moreover, an independent third-party operator can run the service computer on behalf of the communication network&#39;s operator. The service containers themselves contain and execute the requested service instance which is, for example, a program module or an object performing individually configured or standardized services, e.g., intelligent network (IN) services according to so-called capability sets as defined by the international telecommunication union (ITU), the former CCITT (comité consultatif international télégraphique et téléphonique). Possible services performed by service containers are, for example, call forwarding (if the called party is) busy (CFB), calling card services, voice recognition or a mailbox service that stores messages on behalf of a user. Independent of the communication network currently serving the user&#39;s terminal, the user can make use of a real virtual home environment and the full range of personal services assigned to this home environment. Additionally, the interface between the service computer and the service server is quite simple, since merely service container encapsulating service instances are transmitted. Furthermore, the introduction of a new or modified service is faciliated, because only a service container containing the instance of the new service is required, but not an adaptation of the service computer to the new service container. Advantageously, the service computer provides for the service container a monitor lock, via which the service container informs the service server of the condition of the service computer. The monitor lock could also be denominated as “call and session detailed record”-Lock (CDR-Lock), since data sent the via the monitor lock contains for instance information about the usage of the service computer and/or the usage of the network lock(s). Dependent on that information the service server charges the user and/or controls the provision of the personal service, e.g., transmits further service containers containing further personal service components to a second service computer, if the first service computer serving the terminal is, e.g., close to be overloaded. The monitor lock may be integrated into the network lock mentioned above.  
       [0011] For the management of the service provision by the operator of the communication network serving the user terminal and/or by the operator of the service server, it is an advantage if the service computer provides a management lock for the service container. The service container sends alarms to an operator terminal or a network management system via the management lock, the alarms for instance notifying of a malfunction of the service computer. 
     
    
    
     [0012] The following description will serve to explain the advantages of the invention on the basis of working examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 shows an arrangement for the performance of the method in accordance with the invention using terminals TERA and TERB, a service server SSV in accordance with the invention and a service computer SSC in accordance with the invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process of providing services in accordance with the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0015] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In describing the preferred embodiments and applications of the present invention, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
     [0016]FIG. 1 shows a very diagrammatically presented arrangement by way of example, with which the invention may be put into practice. FIG. 1 shows terminals TERA and TERB serving as communication means of users A and B (not shown) respectively. The terminal TERA is, for example, an analog or an integrated services digital network (ISDN) telephone set, a personal computer or a videophone. The terminal TERB is for example a mobile telephone terminal able to interpret the so-called Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or a so-called network computer (NC) according to the Java architecture (as defined by Sun Microsystems, Inc., of Mountain View, California). The terminals TERA and TERB may be connected to local computer networks or private telephone networks (both not shown) at the users A and B site respectively.  
     [0017] For simplification the terminals TERA and TERB are of similar design and only diagrammatically depicted as block diagrams of functions. The terminals TERA and TERB possess connecting means TRA and TRB for the transmission and reception of data via a communication network NET, which for example will be a mobile radio network or a circuit switched communication network, the Internet or any desired combination of such networks. The network NET may be a real or virtual private/corporate network or a public network. The connecting means TRA and, respectively, TRB for example comprise digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, ISDN (integrated services digital network) adapters or wireless interface modules. Furthermore the terminals TERA and TERB possess control means CPUTA and, respectively, CPUTB and also memory means MEMTA and, respectively, MEMTB, which are respectively connected with each other and with the connecting means TRA and, respectively, TRB by connections, which are not illustrated The control means CPUTA and CPUTB, respectively, are for example processors with which a program code may be executed, which is stored in memory means MEMTA and, respectively, MEMTB. The memory means MEMTA and MEMTB are for instance in the form of hard disks or RAM modules. Furthermore the terminals TERA and TERB have display means as for example LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and input means, for example keyboards, the display means and input means being not shown. Further components which are not illustrated are speakers and microphones for voice input and output. The terminals TERA and TERB are run by an operating system.  
     [0018] A service computer SSC is associated with the communication network NET. The service computer SSC may be operated by the operator of the network NET that may be, as mentioned, a corporate network. Some important components of the service computer SSC are depicted by way of example, namely a control means CPUSC, memory means MEMSC and connecting means TRSC. Using the connecting means TRSC, e.g., comprising interface cards, it is possible for the service computer SSC to establish connections CA, CB, CCONL, CCDRL and CCN and further connections, which are not illustrated. In the case of the control means CPUSC it is a question of a processor or a group of processors, which are able to execute the program code of program modules, which are stored in the memory means MEMSC. The control means CPUSC controls the function of the server SC and while so doing for example influences the further function of the connecting means TRSC. The connecting means TRSC, the control means CPUSC and the memory means MEMSC are connected with one another by connections which are not illustrated in FIG. 1. The service computer SSC is operated by an operating system. In the present embodiment the service computer SSC is a so-called thin client, which is a system that runs a very light operating system with no local system administration and executes applications delivered over a network. The service computer SSC, however, may also be a more complex system containing a local system administration and providing some basic services.  
     [0019] In the present case the applications executed by the service computer SSC are service containers CONT 1  and CONT 2  delivered by a service server SSV via the connection CCONL. Additionally, the service computer SSC contains service computer module SCM, containing in the present embodiment a so-called virtual machine, which is a software “execution engine” that safely and compatibly after stringent security checks executes the byte codes of the service containers on the control means CPUSC. The service computer module SCM may comprise an interpreter decoding and executing statements of the service container&#39;s CONT 1  program code. Additionally, the service computer module SCM may dynamically link native methods, manage memory or handle exceptions on behalf of the service container CONT 1 .  
     [0020] For the sake of simplification, from the service server SV are also only some important components shown, namely a control means CPUSV, memory means MEMSV and connecting means TRSV. Using the connecting means TRSV it is possible for the server SV to establish connections CCONL and CCDRL to the service computer SSC and connections CSCE and CDB to a service creation environment SCE and a database DB respectively. In a further form of the invention the service creation environment SCE and the database DB are integrated in the service server SSV. The connecting means TRSV can serve further connections, which are not illustrated. In the case of the control means CPUSV it is a question of a processor or a group of processors, which are able to execute the program code of program modules, which are stored in the memory means MEMSV. Out of these program modules a service server module SSM is shown, the service server module SSM performing essential functions according to the invention. The control means CPUSV controls the function of the server SV and while so doing for example influences the further function of the connecting means TRSV. The connecting means TRSV, the control means CPUSV and the memory means MEMSV are connected with one another by connections which are not illustrated in FIG. 1. The server SV is run by an operating system, as for instance Unix.  
     [0021] The service server SSV is operated by a home operator of users A and B to which the home operator offers respectively individual personal services like, for example, videophony, personal message boxes, broadcasting, multicasting, bill viewing, information pushing in response to a user profile or directory look-up. In a special scenario, both the service computer SSC and the service server SSV are operated by the same operator.  
     [0022] An exemplary process of providing a personal service for terminal TERA is shown comprising steps S 21  to S 27  in FIG. 2. The user A at step S 21  logs on to terminal TERA and typically uses a windows application or the like or just picks up a handset of the terminal TERA. A mouse and/or a keyboard and/or a voice interface of terminal TERA initiate a program module PMPA for retrieving and using personal services, the program module PMPA being executed by the control means CPUTA.  
     [0023] The program module PMPA works, for example, as follows: an icon may appear on the display means of terminal TERA for service launch. By clicking or otherwise selecting the icon, by pressing a key of the keyboard or by giving a voice command, the user A initiates the transmission by the connecting means TRA via connection CA of a request message to the network NET via step S 22 . The request message comprises the user&#39;s A identity and address so that messages may be returned to the user A and service data such as a one indicating commands for controlling personal services. The request message may also comprise a personal authorization or access code of user A, the authorization code authorizing user A to access the requested service. In the present embodiment the network NET passes the request message to the service computer SSC. Via step S 23  the service computer SSC forwards the request to the service server SSV via the connection CCONL. With the aid of a program module SSM executed by the control means CPUSV the service server SSV examines via step S 24  the extent to which services requested by user A are obtainable from the service computer SSC. The services may be services to which the user A has subscribed on a pay basis or services that are free, for example, and available over the network NET by means of the service computer SSC. The service requested by user A is in the present case a message box service, controlled by voice commands to be given at the terminal TERA.  
     [0024] It may however happen that the service computer SSC is bypassed and the network NET immediately forwards the request message to the service server SSV via a connection not shown in FIG. 1 or, in another scenario, that a dedicated service container run by the service computer SSC performs step S 24  checking the actual ability of the service computer SSC to provide the personal services requested by user A, the service provision, e.g., performed by service containers already stored in the service computer SSC.  
     [0025] In this respect the service server SSV determines that the service computer SSC is not able to perform such functions as requested by user A. Consequently the server SV downloads via step S 25  the service container CONT 1  to the service computer SSC via the connection CCONL that may be established, e.g., on the Internet or on a transport network like a synchronous optical network (SONET) or a SDH-network (SDH=Synchronous Digital Hierarchy).  
     [0026] The service computer SSC receives the service container CONT 1  via receiving means CONL and installs the service container CONT 1  in its memory means MEMSC. The service computer module SCM invokes subsequently a service machine SM 1  contained in the service container CONT 1  via step S 26 .  
     [0027] The receiving means CONL is a program module handling the connection CCONL with the service server SSV, i.e., managing the protocol used on connection CCONL and receiving data comprising service containers. In any case, the physical interface function required for the connection CCONL is handled by the connecting means TRSC. The receiving means CONL may also advantageously comprise a specialized object request broker (ORB) binding software to enable software modules running on the service computer SSC to make calls and requests to the service server SSV serving as a so-called object request broker. The respective architecture may be implemented according to the common object request broker architecture (CORBA) specification from the object management group (OMG). The logical function, e.g., protocol handling and/or ORB binding, of the receiving means CONL may be executed by the connecting means TRSC or may be integrated in the service computer module SCM. To this end, the connecting means TRSC, being for example an interface card, is equipped with a processor CTC executing program code of the receiving means CONL.  
     [0028] The service computer module SCM offers to the service machine SM 1  a controlled and secure access to predefined resources of the service computer SSC, as for example, access to the memory means MEMSC and processor time of the control means CPUSC. Using the resources offered by the service computer module SCM the service machine SM 1  manages the execution of the personal services for the terminal TERA. Thus, the service machine SM 1  activates service components CP 1  and CP 2  also contained in the service container CONT 1 . The service components CP 1  and CP 2  are program modules or program functions performing the message box service. The service machine SM 1  is, by way of example, a Java application that executes within the service computer module SCM and provides an application context for the service components CP 1  and CP 2  that are or that comprise, e.g., Java applets or beans. The service component CP 1 , however, may be also a function called by the service machine SM 1 . In any case, the service machine SM 1  and the service components CP 1  and CP 2  constitute a service instance.  
     [0029] In a step S 26  the service container CONT 1  establishes a connection CA to the terminal TERA via network lock NWL provided by the service computer SSC for the service container CONT 1 . The network lock NWL offers the service container CONT 1  a predefined interface to the network NET. This interface may be, for example, a simple call type interface. In this case, the network lock NWL establishes the a call connection using a subscriber number assigned to the connection CA, the subscriber number being provided by the service container CONT 1 . Dependent on the network&#39;s NET and on the respective terminal&#39;s capabilities the network lock NWL and the connecting means TRSC, however, may be variously configured to include, e.g., an integrated services digital network (ISDN) interface, an Ethernet interface, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem or and a cordless phone interface (e.g., a 900 MHZ transceiver). The service computer SSC may provide several network locks in parallel being of identical design or variously configured. Via a step S 27  the service container CONT 1  invites the user A to record a spoken announcement as a “welcome message” for the message box service to be performed, whereby the service component CP 1  performs the dialog function or input/output function with terminal TERA and the service component CP 2  the record function.  
     [0030] At the terminal TERA site, the functions with respect to the personal service provision, i.e., with respect to the message box service, may be performed by usual means, such as speakers and microphones for voice input and output. It may however happen, that the program module PMPA and the service container CONT 1  interact for service provision. For example, the service container CONT 1  may send program code, e.g., objects, to the program module PMPA via the connection CA. Executing or applyinging this object the program module PMPA sends via a pull action further data requests to the service container CONT 1  or pushes data to the service container CONT 1 , the data to be evaluated by the service container CONT 1 . The push and pull actions may be performed according to the Java definitions.  
     [0031] The network lock NWL may also offer a control or signaling interface, for instance an interface to a signaling network like the central signaling system no.  7 . Thus, a service container run by the service computer SSC may provide services of an intelligent network, e.g., the so-called automatic call back of the person who last called (automatic call back (ACB)). To this end, the service container may communicate via the network lock NWL with intelligent network devices (not shown) located somewhere in the network NET, e.g., with intelligent peripherals (IP), service switching points (SSPs) or a service control point (SCP) and the like. Additionally, the network lock NWL may manage protocols used on the respective intelligent network connections, for example the intelligent network applications protocol (INAP), the transport capabilities application part (TCAP) or the signalling connection control part (SCCP).  
     [0032] The network lock NWL may also offer an interface to connections on which the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) is used, for example connections via the Internet. The network lock NWL is shown in FIG. 1 as a module located in the connecting means TRSC and managing both the physical and the logical interface function. In this case, the processor CTC executes program code of the network lock NWL, thus managing the logical function of the network lock NWL, for instance handling of protocol layers. The logical function, however, may also be performed partly or entirely by the service computer module SCM or may be performed by a separate program module executed by the control means CPUSC and closely interacting with the service computer module SCM.  
     [0033] In the present case the user wants to control the message box service by voice commands. Therefore, a respective request is communicated from the terminal to the service container CONT 1  via the connection CA. As neither the service machine SM 1  nor the service components CP 1 , CP 2  are currently able to perform automatic speech recognition, the service machine SM 1  transmits a respective request to the service server SSV, e.g., by means of a container. Consequently, the service server SSV communicates to the service computer SSC the service container CONT 2  containing a service component CP 3  that is a program module or function able to perform automatic speech recognition. The service machine SM 1  and/or the service computer module SCM link the service container CONT 2  to the service container CONT 1 . Finally, the service machine SM 1  executes the service component CP 3  that records the user&#39;s A voice commands and translates them into commands understandable by the service machine SM 1  and/or the service component CP 1 .  
     [0034] In another scenario, some basic service functions are performed by the service computer SSC, for example the automatic speech recognition mentioned. In the present case, the automatic speech recognition is performed by the service computer module SCM or by a program module able to be linked to the service computer module SCM. The service computer module SCM provides the service container CONT 1  a resource lock API offering to the service container CONT 1  an access to a automatic speech recognition function. In this case the resource lock API may be regarded as an application program interface. In another embodiment, the resource lock API may be an interface to an external Intelligent Peripheral (IP), which is a so-called special resource point performing, e.g., voice recognition.  
     [0035] For simplification, FIG. 1 shows only service containers CONT 1  and CONT 2  executed by the service computer SSC. The service computer SSC, however, executes further service containers not depicted in FIG. 1, for example a service container providing personal services for the terminal TERB via the connection CB. To this end, the service computer SSC is equipped to perform a significant number of transactions per second. Additionally, the service computer SSC swaps between service containers to be executed. It may happen, however, that the service computer SSC is close to be overloaded. To avoid an overload or blocking situation, the service container CONT 1  informs the service server SSV of the condition of the service computer SSC via a monitor lock CDRL. The data sent via the monitor lock CDRL and the connection CCSL contains for instance information about the usage of the service computer SSC for the present service session and/or the usage of the network lock NWL. Dependent on that “call and session detailed record” data (CDR data) the service server SSV may download further service containers serving terminals TERA or TERB onto another service computer (not shown in FIG. 1) instead of the service computer SSC. Thus, the service server SSV controls and manages the load of the service computer SSC. CDR data may also serve to charge, e.g., the user A for using the service computer SSC and/or for using the connection CA. Furthermore, the CDR data may be used for statistic purposes or the like. CDR data may be transmitted, e.g., after and/or once or several times during execution of the service container CONT 1 . As described in connection with the network lock NWL the monitor lock CDRL may likewise be a separate program module executed by the processor CTC of the connecting means TRSC. The monitor lock CDRL, i.e., its logical algorithms, may however be integrated in the service computer module SCM. The function of the monitor lock CDRL may also be performed by the receiving means CONL. In this case, CDR data is transmitted in dedicated service containers from the service container CONT 1  to the service server SSV via the connection CCONL.  
     [0036] A management lock NML provides a further interface for monitoring and controlling the service container CONT 1  and/or the service computer SSC. The service container CONT 1  sends alarms via the management lock NML and a connection CCN to a management system NMS, that is, e.g., an operator terminal or a network management system. The alarms notify the management system NMS for instance of a malfunction or an overload of the service computer SCC or inform of a communication fault of the service container CONT 1  while communicating with the terminal TERA. In the opposite direction, the management system NMS may send a command instructing the service container CONT 1 , for example, to suspend its operation in an overload situation of the service computer SSC. The management system NMS may be operated by the operator of the network NET, of the service computer SSC or of the service server SSV. The extent to which alarms or commands may be transmitted via the management lock NML depends on the extent to which the service container CONT 1  is to be controlled by the management system NMS. It is possible, that the management lock NML offers a transparent connection to the entire monitoring and controlling resources of the service container CONT 1 . Furthermore, the management system NMS may be or may comprise a so-called thin client being controlled and remotely operated by the service container CONT 1 . As known from the network lock NWL and the monitor lock CDRL the logical function of the management lock NML may be, for example, performed by the service computer module SCM and/or by a program module locally executed by the connecting means TRSC.  
     [0037] The service containers delivered by the service server SSV may be pre-configured and stored in the memory means MEMSV. The service server module SSM determines the relevant service container(s) according to a request sent by the respective user and provides the service container for the service computer SSC. The memory means MEMSV may also contain user profiles, the user profiles containing services subscribed by users, interests of users and information related to their interests.  
     [0038] The user profiles and/or at least some kind of service containers may be stored in global database DB, operated and maintained by the home operator of the respective users, in the present case by the home operator of users A and B. The service server SSV requests user data or service containers via a connection CDB from the database DB, which may be single server or a database cluster serving the service server SSV as well as further service servers not illustrated.  
     [0039] The service server module SSM, however, may contain a packaging platform (not shown) being adapted provide service containers. The packaging platform packages service components relevant to provide a required service into service containers. Such service components may be, for example, service logics provided by a service creation environment SCE via the connection CSCE. The service logics are application programs or application functions to be executed or interpreted by a service machine of a service container. The service logics may be designed according to the definitions of an intelligent network or may consist of proprietary program code. Furthermore, the packaging platform adapts the service container to fit to the locks offered by the respective service computer, for example, the network lock NWL of the service computer SSC.  
     [0040] Due to the encapsulation in service containers various further types of service components intended to be executed or applied by a service machine are possible such as, for example:  
     [0041] user information to be transmitted by the respective service machine, e.g., to a terminal, the terminal displaying the user information,  
     [0042] application programs, e.g., Java applets, to be executed by a terminal or by a service computer, and  
     [0043] sound or video files to be reproduced by a terminal or a service computer. Furthermore, the service server SSV may transmit to the service computer SSC a “transport” service container containing and wrapping a service container intended to be executed in a second level service computer (not shown) or in the terminals A or B. By way of example, the service container CONT 2  may be such a “transport” service container and the service component CP 3  a service container packed therein. The service machine SM 1  forwards the service component/ service container CP 3  to the terminal TERB or to another service computer (not shown) via the network lock NWL. The terminal TERB or, respectively, the service computer not shown execute the service component CP 3  being itself a service container. To this end, a program module PMPB is installed in the terminal TERB being of similar design and performance as the service computer module SCM.  
     [0044] In another embodiment the service container CONT 1  performs the function of a computer telephony integration (CTI) server, whereas the terminal TERA is a telephone set and the terminal TERB is a personal computer being presently in the domain of user A and cooperating with the terminal TERA. To this end, the service container CONT 1  communicates signaling data, e.g., ISDN D-channel data, to the terminal A via the connection CA. On the connection CB, however, the service container CONT 1  communicates with the terminal TERB using a CTI protocol, e.g., based on the CSTA protocol  179 / 180  (Computer Supported Telephony Applications) as defined by the European Computer Manufactures Association (ECMA).  
     [0045] In a further embodiment, the service container CONT 1  performs the function of a so-called soft switch. For example, the service container CONT 1  may link the terminals TERA and TERB in a manner of a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) located in the network NET. In this case, the service container CONT 1  communicates signaling data providing custom services, such as indication of a callers name or of busy terminals, on the connections CA and CB, whereas the terminals TERA and TERB communicate via a call connection COM established on the network NET, e.g., supported by the service container CONT 1 .  
     [0046] In another scenario the service container CONT 1  performs a so-called soft-terminal function. If, e.g., the terminal TERB is a voice terminal not able to receive a videophone call, the service container CONT 1  may terminate the videophone call&#39;s video channel and the terminal TERB, on the other hand, may terminate the videophone call&#39;s voice channel.  
     [0047] Furthermore, the service container CONT 1  may serve as a so-called soft special resource point (soft SRP) performing, e.g., voice recognition. This SRP may be used by only one service container, specially assigned to it or, in another embodiment, as a global SRP to be addressed by various service containers running on the service computer SSC or external service computers not shown.  
     [0048] It may happen, that a service container runs only once and is reloaded into the service computer SSC if the respective service containers service is required again. The service computer SSC, however, may store a service container for a longer period if the respective service container is used frequently. To this end, the service computer SSC and/or the service server SSV may check the usage of the service container. A service container that has not been used for a predefined period may be removed from the memory means MEMSC. Both methods of service container management, “load once and run many times” or “load once and run once” may be performed in parallel and may depend on the respective service container&#39;s content.  
     [0049] In further scenario, steps S 21  to S 25  are performed as follows: the network NET works like an intelligent network (IN) and the terminal TERA is a telephone set. The network NET contains several service switching points (SSPs, not shown) and at least one service switching point (SCP, not shown), the SSPs and SCP being built and working at least partly according to the specifications of the ITU as described in the preamble of the present description. The user A dials a predefined telephone number by means of a keyboard of terminal A. The terminal A sends a call request containing the predefined telephone number to the network NET. A service switching point (SSP, not shown) determines by checking the predefined telephone number that the call request concerns not a call connection but a service. Thus, the service switching point forwards the call request to a service control point (SCP, not shown). The SCP checks whether the service computer SSC is able to perform the requested service and, if this is not the case, requests the service server SSV to download the service container CONT 1  to the service computer SSC. In this context it is clear, that the functions of the service computer SSC may be integrated into the SSP or the SCP mentioned or into a combination thereof, a so-called service switching and control point (SSCP). In other words, the service computer SSC is equipped with means to perform service switching and/or service control functions as described in the preamble of the present description.  
     [0050] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention. For instance, the communication mechanism used between the service computer SSC and the service server SSV may be any suitable object request broker or may also be proprietarily designed. Furthermore, the implementation is neither limited to Java nor to object-oriented programming languages in general, for example C++ or the like. Instead of the object request broker communication mechanism used between the service computer SSC and the service server SSV any suitable communication mechanism may be applied.