throbber
as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2002/0122547 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Sep. 5, 2002
`
`Hincheyetal.
`
`US 20020122547A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`TELEPHONY ROUTE SELECTION
`
`(52) US. Ch.ec eeeteeseeeeeeseenes 379/221.01; 379/219
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Allan J. Hinchey, Kanata (CA);
`Douglas W. J. Zolmer, Nepean (CA)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Neil Mothew
`Nortel Networks Limited, IPS Legal Department
`P.O. Box 832130
`Mail Stop 468/05/B10
`Richardson, TX 75083-2130 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/746,103
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 21, 2000
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(SL)
`
`Inte Cd. vecccesssestessissssttsstvatsvatnneessive H04M 7/00
`
`A method and apparatus for providing access device input
`format independenttranslations and route selection for tele-
`phony calls. A call request is received,
`the call request
`comprising input information being for a telephonycall. At
`least one call attributes is then determined from the input
`information and a routing policy request is transmitted to
`query a route database. Responsive to the routing policy
`request a routing policy response is received, the response
`comprising at least one routing parameter. The at least one
`routing parameter is used to influence call set up. Route
`selection is therefore not constrained by the service request
`input format.
`
`a 102
`NAGEMENT
`
`SERVER
`
`MA
`
`
`
`1284
`GATEWAY
`Gow
`
`1167
`
`GATEWAY
`Swe
`
`“120
`
`PSTN
`
`COUNTRY
`CODE=1
`O0C=6713, 819
`
`
`
`128
`
`
`
`
`ROUTE
`SERVER
`
`PSTN
`
`
`
`COUNTRY
`GATEWAY
`CODE=44
`
`Gw3
`NDC=181
`
`
`CALL SERVER
`
`
`cs2
`144
`
`:SIP-T
`MESSAGING
`
`PSTN
`
`COUNTRY
`CODE=69
`
`NDC=88
`i
`6789
`
`CALL SERVER
`csi
`
`104
`
`GATEWAY
`aw4
`
`16135915298
`
`}
`
`4419138008
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-1
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-1
`
`

`

`uoneoyqnguoneoyddyjuajeg
`
`
`
`
`OLJOL9487007‘Ss“das
`TVLes7cct0/700¢SN
`
`‘ft{tt
`
`tt
`
`MANAGEMENT
`SERVER
`
`
`
`PSTN
`
`
`COUNTRY
`
`
`
`ROUTE
`
`CODE=1
`
`PSTN
`
`SERVER
`NDC=613
`
`
`COUNTRY
`GATEWAY
`
`CODE=44
`GW3
`GW1
`GATEWAY
`
`
`NDC=1814
`
`
`
`
`CALL SERVER
`CALL SERVER
`
`
`
`
`136
`c$1
`
`
`
`: SIP-T
`144
`
`
`MESSAGING
`PSTN
`
`
`
`
`GATEWAY
`COUNTRY
`
`
`GWwW2
`PSTN
`
`
`
`CODE=1
`
`COUNTRY
`
`
`DC=613, 819
`
`CODE=69
`120
`NDC=88
`
`
`
`
`
`16135915298
`
`4419138008
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`204
`
`210
`
`
`
`National (significant) number
`
`
`
`International public telecommunications number for networks
`
`Max(15 - n) digits
`
`Max 15 digits
`
`
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-3
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-3
`
`

`

`Originating Agent Information Collection
`
`TRANSLATIONS SUBSYSTI
`
`Information Analysis
`
`Input
`(Dial Plan)
`Schemas ==
`
` uoneoyqng
`
`uoneoyddyjuajeg
`
`
`OLJO€94S7007‘Ss“das
`TVLes7cct0/700¢SN
`
`Route Database
`
`Route List
`Selection
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-4
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`SS
`——.
`[3[4|5|
`
`save
` 5{6|7[/8 9]
`|
`...
`..
`|
`wn
`| 7/8]
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[0] 1)
`[ojaj2]
`o[1f2]_...
`|
`....Lee [7|8]9)
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uoneoyqnguoneoyddyjuajeg
`
`CS1
`
`ID=1234
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1J2)3/4]..|[|we[7[8[9]|. aE [[7/8/19 a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘
`\
`=
`
`
`
`cs2
`we
`
`4/2)
`ID=6789
`=
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0/1/2
`
`
`| i
`
`in
`\
`=
`\
`g
`\.
`
`L
`cs2
`cst
`cst
`319
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ID=2345 ‘ID=5678|LaID=3456 2
`Ld
`
`
`
`ty
`
`oe
`\
`
`Me
`Vo,
`
`_S
`
`Ti
`NY
`
`=
`
`=54 >a
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`ID=4567
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-5
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`lo. | Pro|rE th
`o
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` uoneoyqnguoneoyddyjuajeg
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`= 5/6. 7|/8|9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[71819
`wee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O,1]2] |
`
`
`
`
`[o[1]2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_ [7 [8[9)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7/8/9)
`..... ae 7/8|9)
`1|2/3|4|_
`|
`ww.
`|)... }7|8|9)
`“
`nn
`\ >
`s
`Ve
`a
`LOLt12]"| Yo
`8
`No
`.
`‘
`e
`
`= 3 9
`.
`Cs
`
`
`
`
`
`ID=2345 ID=5678|LaID=3456
`
`S,
`Ld
`=
`
`
`
`cst
`ID=1234
`
`
`
`_ow17/819)
`
`
`
`csi
`fipzogys|
`
`
`
`Csi
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cs2
`ID=6789,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CS2
`
`z=
`
`S54 >a
`
`Cs2
`
`FIGURE 5A
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-6
`
`

`

`r5
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0/1/2/3|4 5|/6/7|8/9
`-
`
`” }5/617/ 8/9 vee|7we [314/65]
`
`
`
`
`
`s©=
`
`ego
`
`=
`
`0 1/2]3]4]_ ..... = [7[slo]
`7/8
`|...
`[
`o..
`‘17
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3ee g
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`jof1]2]....
`
`|
`
`of1f2]_....
`lojra)...
`fee 7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CSs1
`
`Ip=1234;
`
`cst
`ID=2345
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Loss: 7/89
`
`csi
`
`o}1/2["]
`
`=
`
`cst
`ID=3456
`
`cs2
`ID=5678|
`
`
`
`La
`
`
`
`71819
`
`g w
`
`m
`i)
`=
`
`S zo
`
`—
`
`=S
`
`e
`
`F
`
`s5e
`
`S
`
`cs2
`ID=4567
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-7
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`uoneoyqnguoneoyddyjuajeg
`
`wn
`
`= w
`
`n
`=
`
`S N e
`
`~2 S
`
`S
`4Se
`8eS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`oO
`
`
`
` 3/4] 5 7(/8/9°
`
`
`
`
`ID=2345
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ee /7/8/9|ee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fom
`- |
`
`
`
`7/8/19
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7|8/9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cs1
`ID=1234
`
`
`tI
`
`CcS1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`17/819
`
`CS1
`
`
`ID=3456
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CS1
`ID=2345
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`g]9) |. |7|8]9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0
`
`=
`2|°"
`
`CS2
`
`
`
`Cs2
`ID=6789
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cs2
`ID=4567
`
`
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`FIGURE6
`
`a! INGRESS CALL SERVER RECIVES CALL SETUP INFORMATION FROM
`ORIGINATING ENDPOINT
`_
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`a DOES SIGNALED INFORMATION oN
`
`CONFORM TO INPUT SCHEMA > NO
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENDPOINT?~~
`“
`
`604
`
`608
`
`
`
`YES
`
`_
`<7HAS ENOUGH INFORMATION BEEN~~~
`COLLECTED FOR ANALYSIS?
`:
`~
`616
`
`ol
`612
`
`NO
`
`
`
`YES
`'
`
`SIGNALED INFORMATION IS ANALYZED TO
`DETERMINE THE CALL ATTRIBUTES (FULLY
`QUALIFIED ALIAS, SERVICE PROVIDER, CALL
`y7]
`TYPE,..)
`
`620 a
`_
`
`
`
`APPLY ROUTING POLICIES, QUERY THE ROUTE
`DATABASE WITH THE CALL ATTRIBUTES.
`QUERY RESPONSE CONTAINSA LIST OF CALL
`SERVER HOST AND ROUTEID PAIRS.
`
`7]
`624
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`
`
`SIGNAL
`ENDPOINT THAT
`THERE ARE NO /<#NO
`ROUTES
`AVAILABLE
`
`‘
`632
`
`J
`|
`|
`i
`
`ENDOINT
`i
`| THATTHE
`| CALL FAILED |
`SCREENING |
`
`
`
`SELECT NEXT ROUTE FROM LIST
`ROUTE SELECTED?
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PPLY SCREENING POLICIEST!
`CALL ATTRIBUTES. IS THE CALL
`2?
`REQUEST AUTHORIZED?
`
`[—<__
`NO
`
`636
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`|
`
`|
`
`—
`
`VES
`
`
`
`SIGNAL ENDPOINT THAT INPUT DOES NOT
`CONFORM TO INPUT SCHEMA
`
`Y
`
`
`($ ROUTE HOSTED
`
`BY LOCAL CALL
`SERVER?
`
`
`
`644
`
`
`
`USE SIP-T FOR
`INTER CALL
`Now»! SIGNALies +0
`THE REMOTE
`HOST
`
`a
`648
`
`
`
`
`EGRESS CALL
`
`SERVER CHECKSIF
`ROUTE AVAILABLE?
`
`652
`
`
`Y
`
`APPLY SIGNALING POLICIES,
`7] FORMATSIGNALING INFO FOR
`656
`TERMINATING ROUTE
`
`t
`SEND CALL SETUP
`77 INFORMATION TO TERMINATING
`ENDPOINT
`660
`
`OO |
`Y
`
`ESTABLISH MEDIA PATH
`
`664
`
`
`
`
`
`640
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-9
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`700
`804
`
`FIGURE 8
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-10
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`900
`
`(
`
`)
`
`(YY
`
`La
`
`904
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`<¢—————_—_>
`
`908
`
`912
`
`OPERATING
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`
`
`w”
`
`ac
`
`o
`
`
`
`
`
`<>
`
`“|
`
`916
`
`
`
`REMOVABLE
`
`920
`DEVICE
`DEVICE
`
`eT STORAGE||STORAGE 554
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`||
`
`REMOVABLE
`STORAGE ah
`UNIT
`|
`(
`
`928
`
`
`
`
`
`KY
`
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-11
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-11
`
`

`

`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONY
`ROUTE SELECTION
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The invention relates to translating telephonycalls.
`Moreparticularly, this invention relates to route selection for
`telephony calls according to call attributes derived from a
`service request.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In a prior art circuit switched telecommunication
`[0002]
`switching system comprising a plurality of switching nodes,
`each switching node requires predefined knowledge of the
`numbering plan of the telecommunication switching system
`and also of how the switching nodes are interconnected. An
`example of such a system is the public telephone networkof
`the United States. Within the United States, the telephone
`numbers were grouped in terms of area codes; and within
`each area code, the telephone numbers were further grouped
`by the first
`three digits of the telephone number. This
`hierarchy of telephone numbers (also referred to as the
`numbering plan hierarchy) was modeledafter the hierarchy
`of switching nodes, e.g. central and tandem offices. Within
`each central office, the routes to be utilized to reach area
`codes or other groups of telephone numbers waspredefined
`at initialization or during system operation by the actions of
`a system administrator in configuring a translations data-
`base. “Translations” is a term used to refer to the process of
`interpreting call
`request
`information (dialed digits for
`example) received from an end user device or incoming
`trunk, determining the requested call type and associated
`called destination, and resolving this information to an
`internal reference which can be used by call processing to
`terminate calls to the appropriate service, end user device or
`outgoing trunk route.
`
`[0003] Translations databases in circuit-switched tele-
`phony networks typically had been manually configured
`through static associations from originating-endpoints to
`routes based on a service request comprising dialed digits.
`The static associations had generated complex data models
`having a directed graph from each possible originating
`endpoint. This model has beenin the form ofa tree structure
`indexed by dialed telephony digits associated with each
`feasible route.
`
`is manually adminis-
`[0004] This complex data model
`tered. With manual administration, a high cost is associated
`with maintaining and updating the data model. Furthermore,
`due to the human intervention required to reconfigure the
`translations and switching equipment when setting up or
`making any changes to network infrastructure, the update
`process becomes increasingly time consuming and error
`prone as the model size and complexity increases.
`
`[0005] Emerging packet-based telephony communications
`technology, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”)
`does not limit the service request input format to dialed
`digits as found on a telephony keypad. Furthermore, whilst
`the most significant digits of the dialed number had previ-
`ously been associated with a predetermined central office,
`this is no longer necessary since the network architecture is
`not hierarchical as with circuit-switched networks.
`
`coupled to the network. With the redundancy of hierarchic
`and geographic restrictions on the allocation of aliases,
`increased flexibility in allocating aliases allows a more
`distributed usage of aliases. However, the trade-off with this
`increasedflexibility is that the management and provision of
`the translations data to translations databases becomes
`increasingly complex and error-prone.
`
`It would be desirable to provide a method and
`[0007]
`apparatus for translating a call to a called alias by deriving
`call attributes from a service request independent of the
`access device and request input format; and use the call
`attributes derived from the service request to translate the
`call to a destination or service associated with the called
`alias.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0008] Provided is a method and apparatus for providing
`access device input format
`independent
`translations and
`route selection for telephony calls. A translations method
`and apparatus consistent with the present invention provides
`route selection of telephony calls unconstrained by access
`device input format.
`
`[0009] An important aspect of translations in the tele-
`phony domainis the interpretation ofan alias, the alias being
`associated with an endpoint on the communications net-
`work,and the selection of a route connecting a calling-party
`to a called-party’s endpoint. As used here, an “alias” may be
`a telephony number, web page URL (Universal Resource
`Locator), e-mail address, common name, or any other
`unique identifier associated with the called party. The “alias”
`can use any combination of alphanumeric characters.
`
`[0010] A call request is received, the call request com-
`prising input information being for a telephonycall. At least
`one call attribute is then determined from the input infor-
`mation and a routing policy request is transmitted to query
`a route database. Responsive to the routing policy request a
`routing policy responseis received, the response comprising
`at least one routing parameter. The at least one routing
`parameter is used to influence call set up.
`
`In some embodiments, a call server maintains a
`[0011]
`route database of the aliases associated with its supported
`endpoints and services. The call attributes determine the
`routing policy used to query the translations database of the
`ingress call server to select appropriate routes satisfying the
`call attributes. In some embodiments,
`the database may
`provide a preferred routing based on the call attributes and
`routing policy being applied.
`
`In some embodiments, if the query to the ingress
`[0012]
`call server’s translations database does not yield a routing
`result, then a second query may be performed to a route
`database to determine the appropriate call server that sup-
`ports the called endpoint, service or trunk endpoint that can
`route towards the called destination. In a network with a
`
`plurality of call servers, each call server has responsibility to
`host pre-defined endpoints (terminals and/or trunks) and
`services. Such call server to endpoint and service associa-
`tions maybestatically or dynamically provisioned. Signal-
`ing between call servers may transfer the call handling from
`an ingress call server to an egress call server.
`
`[0006] As the demand for telephony services grows, so
`does the requirement
`to allocate aliases for endpoints
`
`In some embodiments, a network management
`[0013]
`system (NMS) may be responsible for configuring each call
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-12
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-12
`
`

`

`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`server in the network with data for each endpoint and service
`hosted by the call server, including associated translations
`data. In some embodiments, a network translations route
`database is provided to supportinter call server translations.
`If a translations request cannot be resolved within the local
`translations database of the ingress call server, a query is
`made to the network translations route database. The net-
`work translations route database is responsible for returning
`a reference to the call server hosting the called endpoint,
`service or trunk endpoint that can route towards the called
`destination.
`
`[0014] An advantage of the invention is that route selec-
`tion is made using call attributes rather than dialed digits,
`thus route selection is unconstrained by the request format of
`the access device. In communications networks, and more
`particularly data networks, terminals are not restricted to a
`twelve button keypad used to dial digits, but other more
`elaborate forms of input may be used to express a service
`request and called party alias/address information,
`for
`example, an alphanumeric address, an email address or a
`URL.
`
`it
`[0015] A further advantage of this invention is that
`provides the ability to analyze any form of user input
`representing the service request and interpret it in terms of
`generic call attributes to select an appropriate route. The call
`attributes and translations route selection policies can there-
`fore be reused in a manner independent of the input alias.
`
`[0016] Further features of the invention, as well as the
`structure and operation of various embodiments of the
`invention, are described in detail below with reference to the
`accompanying drawings. The drawing in which an element
`first appears is indicated by the digit(s) to the left of the two
`rightmost digits in the corresponding reference number.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0017] The invention will best be understood by reference
`to the following detailed description when read in conjunc-
`tion with the accompanied drawings, wherein:
`
`[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary IP
`network topology;
`
`[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram of international public tele-
`communications number structure for geographic areas
`under the ITU-T E. 164 Recommendation;
`
`[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a network translations
`subsystem to resolve called alias information to one or more
`terminating endpoints associated with the alias;
`
`[0021]
`
`FIG.4 is a diagram of a number route database;
`
`[0022] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is a flow chart for mapping
`called numbers according to a numbering plan and number
`range;
`
`[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a call server handling a
`call;
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG.7 is a front view of a board carrier;
`
`[0025] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a board carrier;
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description, numerous details are
`[0027]
`set forth to provide an understanding of the present inven-
`tion. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the
`art that the present invention may be practiced without these
`details and that numerous variations or modifications from
`the described embodiments may be possible. For example,
`although the description refers to telephony communications
`over data networks, certain aspects of the methods and
`apparatus described may be advantageously used with other
`types of communications systems, such as those used on
`circuit switched networks.
`
`[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an Internet Protocol
`(“IP”) network topology. The communications network 102
`is coupled to associated endpoints 116, 120, 124, 128, 148
`and 152. As shown,
`the endpoints can be provided as
`communications gateways 116, 120, 124 and 128, and with
`terminals 148 and 152.
`
`It should be appreciated that many more endpoints
`[0029]
`may be connected to communications network 102; and
`these are shown merely as examples.
`
`[0030] Communications network 102 in this example may
`be a packet-based or message-based network.
`In one
`embodiment, the communications network 102 communi-
`cates according to the Internet Protocol (IP), whichis one of
`the protocols on which the Internet is based, as described in
`Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Com-
`ment 791, entitled “Internet Protocol,” dated September
`1981. Communications network 102 provides quality of
`service to voice calls sufficient to provide adequate band-
`width and low latency.
`
`[0031] A suitable communications network 102 has a
`single network or link, which can be coupled through
`gateways, routers, and the like. It should be appreciated by
`those skilled in the art that further complex architectures
`could be implemented with multiple networks or links.
`Further, it should be noted that communications network
`102 could have geographically dispersed linked-data net-
`works in business environments. Examples of such data
`networks are Local Area Networks (LANs).
`
`[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, communications networks
`132, 136, 140 and 144 are coupled to communications
`network 102 via communications gateways 116, 120, 124
`and 128 respectively, to provide the communications inter-
`face between the networks.
`
`[0033] Examples of suitable communications networks
`132, 136, 140 and 144 are a public switch telephone network
`(“PSTN”), a private branch exchange (“PBX”), a local area
`network (“LAN”), a metropolitan area network (“MAN”), a
`wide-area network (“WAN”), a private network such as an
`Intranet, and public network such as the Internet. The
`underlying unifying factor of these networksis the ability to
`share data information under a common communications
`protocol, such as TCP/IP. Additional communications pro-
`tocols can be implemented and data may be communicated
`between communications protocols using adequate conver-
`sion techniques.
`
`[0026] FIG. 9 is a computer system programmed for
`executing a computer program according to various embodi-
`ments of the invention.
`
`[0034] Terminals 148 and 152 are capable of performing
`voice and other multi-media communicationsovera packet-
`based or message-based data network. As used herein, a
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-13
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-13
`
`

`

`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`terminal may be a computer-based system having speech
`capability, or may be telephony units having interfaces to the
`communications network. Accordingly, terminals 148 and
`152 may be Internet Protocol (IP) telephones, each with an
`associated IP address; the IP address of each terminal having
`an associated phone number according to the E.164 stan-
`dard. The aforesaid IP address may be dynamically or
`statically allocated. Dynamicallocation of the IP address can
`be performed using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol;
`an existing IETF protocol that allows a server to assign IP
`addresses dynamically to endpoints as they connect to the
`network.
`
`[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, call servers 104 and 108 are
`coupled to the communications network 102. The call serv-
`ers act to manage telephony communications (for example,
`call setup, processing, and termination) between or among
`the endpoints. A suitable call server is available under the
`Succession™ Internet Product Portfolio from Nortel Net-
`works, Ltd., of Brampton, Ontario, Canada. A call server
`builds a composite view of the translations data for all its
`endpoints in a local translations database. A function that the
`call servers provide is in the called alias translation to allow
`the call to progress throughout the networkto its destination
`endpoint(s). As used here, an “alias” may be a telephony
`number, web page URL (Universal Resource Locator),
`e-mail address, common name, or any other unique identifier
`associated with the called party. The “alias” can use any
`combination of alphanumeric characters.
`
`[0036] Aroute database 114, accessible by the call servers
`104 and 108 through the communications network 102,
`provides support to inter-call server translations. Thus, if a
`called address translation request cannot be resolved within
`the ingress call server local translations database, a query
`may be made to route database 114. The network transla-
`tions database in the route database 114 returns a reference
`to the call server hosting the terminating endpoint. The
`ingress call server may then use Session Initiation Protocol
`for Telephony (SIP-T,) messaging or an equivalent to for-
`ward the call signaling to the terminating call server. SIP-T
`is an emerging ITU messaging protocol standard for com-
`municating betweencall servers. The terminating call server
`may then use its local translations database to locate the
`terminating endpoint and complete the call.
`
`[0037] Additionally, management server 112 may be
`coupled to the communications network 102 for the man-
`agement of selected resources coupled to communications
`network 102. Management server 112 may send the con-
`figuration data for each call server’s hosted endpoints to the
`respective call server. From this configuration data,
`the
`respective call server may build run-time configuration data
`and a local translations database for the hosted endpoints.
`Endpoint configuration data may be provisioned through a
`management server and stored in a route database.
`
`[0038] Although only one route database 114, manage-
`ment server 112 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that
`multiple route databases, managementservers and call serv-
`ers can be coupled to the communications network, as well
`as additional network resources, sufficient to handle the call
`traffic. In a multiple server configuration, the multiple call
`servers may be responsible for managingcall requests from
`a group of terminals, and the route database may be respon-
`sible for serving a predetermined set of call servers. A call
`
`server, route database, and management server may be
`implemented on separate platforms or in a platform includ-
`ing someorall of the aforementioned components.
`
`[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram of international public tele-
`communications number structure for geographic areas
`under the ITU-T E. 164 Recommendation,titled “The inter-
`national public telecommunication numbering plan”, dated
`May 1997, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This
`recommendation details the components of the numbering
`structure and the digit analysis required to successfully route
`calls in international public telecommunication networks.
`
`[0040] The international public telecommunication num-
`ber for geographic areas is composed of a variable number
`of decimal digits arranged in specific code fields. The
`international public telecommunication numbercode fields
`are the Country Code (CC) 204 and the National (Signifi-
`cant) Number, 210. The National (Significant) Number 210
`may be (15-n) characters in length, where n is the number of
`digits in the country code (1 to 3 digits).
`
`[0041] As used in the E.164 description, a public number
`is a string of decimaldigits that uniquely indicates the public
`network termination point. The number contains the infor-
`mation necessary to route the call over a public network to
`this termination point; and this number is herein forth
`referred to as a “fully qualified” number. A public number
`can be in a format determined nationally or in an interna-
`tional format. The international format is known as the
`
`International Public Telecommunication Number, which
`includes the country code and subsequent digits, but not the
`international prefix.
`
`[0042] As used also in the E.164 description, a numbering
`plan specifies the format and structure of the numbers used
`within that plan. It typically comprises decimal digits seg-
`mented into groups in order to identify specific elements
`used for identification (or aliasing), translations and charg-
`ing capabilities, e.g. within E.164 to identify countries,
`national destinations and subscribers. A numbering plan
`does not include prefixes, suffixes, and additional informa-
`tion required to complete a call (these are components of dial
`plans). A national numbering plan is a national implemen-
`tation of the E.164 numbering plan.
`
`[0043] Such an example of a national numbering plan is
`the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). According to
`the NANP,
`the termination point has a number in the
`NXX-NXX-XXXX format, where N represents a digit from
`2-9 and X represents a digit from 0-9. The first group of
`three digits indicates the area code or Number Plan Area
`(NPA)of the subscriber, the second group ofthree digits and
`the last four digits comprise the Station Numberand indicate
`the address of the subscriber within the NPA. Digits 0 and
`1 are of course not available as the first digit (N) allowing
`them to be used as dial plan prefixes for operator and long
`distance services.
`
`In an enterprise telecommunications system,a pri-
`[0044]
`vate numbering plan is used. A private numberis a string of
`decimal digits that uniquely indicates the private network
`termination point. Similar to a public number, the number
`contains the information necessary to route the call over a
`enterprise networkto this termination point; and this number
`is herein forth referred to as a “fully qualified” number. A
`private numbering plan is in a format determined by the
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-14
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-14
`
`

`

`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`enterprise. Like a public numbering plan, a private number-
`ing plan does not includeprefixes, suffixes, and additional
`information required to complete a call (these are compo-
`nents of private dial plans).
`
`[0045] Dial plans define the method by which number
`plans are used in terms of combinations of decimal digits
`dialed to place a call. Dial plans define the meaningofprefix
`and suffix digits, abbreviated called number formats and any
`other
`information,
`supplemental
`to the number plan,
`required to complete a call.
`
`the national or
`[0046] Public dial plans are defined at
`regional level. Such an example of a dial plan is the one
`typically used in most areas of North America whichdefines
`1 as prefix for long distance calls, 0 as a prefix for operator
`calls and allows for local calls to be dialed with a 7 digit
`abbreviated format of the 10 digit national number.
`
`In an enterprise telecommunications system, pri-
`[0047]
`vate dial plans define the combinationsof digits that may be
`used to provide the subscriber with different enterprise
`telecommunications services. These dial plans may service
`predetermined combinations of dialed digits and translate
`them to the various different telecommunications services.
`For example, a user may dial the digit ‘9’ as a prefix to a
`direct-outward-dialed (DOD) number to make a call from
`the enterprise network to a subscriberin the Public Switched
`Telephone Network (PSTN); and a user maydialthe digit ‘6’
`
`Case Call Type
`NumberDescription
`1
`Intra-site call
`2
`Inter-site call
`
`3
`
`29
`
`is a private communications system
`“enterprise network”
`linking up enterprise communications equipment and end-
`points. Examplesofprivate and public telecommunications
`call types are listed in Table 1 below. Examples of dialing
`plan digit patterns for each of the enterprise call types are
`listed in Table 2 below, whilst examplesof dialing plan digit
`patterns for DOD public call types are listed in Table 3
`below. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in
`the art that further examples may be added to these.
`
`[0048] Call types are represented in Table 1 below.
`
`TABLE1
`
`Call Type Reference
`AA
`DA
`DD
`DOD
`ES
`INTER_SITE
`INTRA_SITE
`OA
`VSC
`
`Call Type
`Attendant Assisted
`Directory Assistance
`Direct Dial
`Direct Outward Dial
`Emergency Service
`Inter-Site
`Intra-Site
`Operator Assisted
`Vertical Service Code
`
`[0049] Enterprise (Private) Dialing Plans are represented
`in TABLE 2 below.
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Dialing Plan Schema
`
`Private Call
`Type
`
`Example of
`Plan
`
`EXTN (extension)
`INTERSITE__PREFTX +
`LOCATION_CODE + EXTN
`ATTENDANT_CODE
`
`INTRA_SITE 54000
`INTER_SITE 6 + 395+
`54000
`0
`
`AA
`
`Enterprise
`Attendant Call
`
`Enterprise
`4
`Emergency
`Call
`Direct-
`outward-dialed
`public call
`Vertical
`Service Code
`call
`
`EMERGENCY_SERVICECODE—ES 911
`
`5
`
`6
`
`DOD_PREFIX +
`PUBLIC_DIALING_PATTERN
`
`DOD
`
`VERTICAL_SERVICE__CODE
`
`VSC
`
`9 + 765-4000
`94+1+ 6134+
`765 + 4000
`*72, *1172
`*831, *11831
`
`to prefix a private enterprise number to make a call to
`another party on the enterprise network. As used here, an
`
`[0050] Direct Outward Dialed access to a Public Dialing
`Plan is represented in TABLE 3 below.
`
`TABLE 3
`
`Public
`Call Type Example (North
`Case Call Type
`Attribute America)
`Dialing Plan Schema
`Number Description
`
`7~~Direct- outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX + SN DD 9 + 745-1576
`
`local call
` Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`nationalcall
`NATL_LD_PREFIX + NDC + SN
` Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`international call
`INTL_LD_PREFIX + CC +
`NDC + SN
` Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`operator assisted
`LOCAL_OA_PREFLX +
`national call
`NDC + SN
`
`DD
`
`DD
`
`OA
`
`9+1+ 613 + 745-
`1576
`9+ 011 + 44 + 207
`+ 225-0603
`
`94+0+4 613 + 745-
`1576
`
`8
`
`9
`
`10
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC.
`
`EX. 1009-15
`
`PETITIONER APPLE INC. EX. 1009-15
`
`

`

`US 2002/0122547 Al
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`TABLE 3-continued
`
`Public
`Call Type Example (North
`Case Call Type
`Attribute
`America)
`Dialing Plan Schema
`Number Description
`
`11~——Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX + OA 9+01+ 444207 +
`
`225-0603
`operator assisted
`INTL_OA_PREFTX + CC + NDC +
`internationalcall
`SN
`9+0
`
`12~~‘Direct-outward-dialed _DOD_PREFIX + OA
`
`attendant call
`LOCAL_OA_CODE
`Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`emergency call
`EMERGENCY_SERVICE_CODE
`Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`directory assistance
`DIRECTORY_ASSISTANCE_
`call
`CODE
`Direct-outward-dialed DOD_PREFIX +
`national service call
`NATIONAL_SERVICE_CODE
`
`9+911
`
`9+ 411
`
`9+1+4+
`800/888/877/86 6/90
`
`13.
`
`14
`
`15
`
`
`
`ES
`
`DA
`
`DD
`
`[0051] Call attributes may be derived by analysis of the
`dialed digits according to the dial plan in effect. One or more
`call attributes may be set as a result of the analysis. Table 4
`below lists the call attributes and their possible values.
`[0052] Call Attributes are represented in TABLE4 below.
`
`Call Attribute
`
`Value
`
`TABLE 4
`
`PRIVATE CALL TYPE
`PUBLIC CALL TYPE
`EQUAL ACCESS TYPE
`ORIGINATING
`ENVIRONMENT
`PUBLIC CALL REACH
`LOCAL CALL
`INDICATOR
`PUBLIC LATA TYPE
`
`PUBLIC CARRIER ID
`NATIONAL SERVICE
`TYPE CODE
`FULLY QUALIFIED
`ALIAS
`
`NONE, DOD, AA, ES, INTRA_SITE,
`INTER_SITE, VSC
`NONE, DD, OA, DA, ES, VSC
`NONE, PREF, CAC
`PRIVATE, PUBLIC
`
`UNKNOWN,NATL, INTL
`BOOL
`
`NOTAPPLICABLE, INTRA_LATA
`INTER_LATA
`VALUE (range: 0 to 9999)
`NONE, FREEPHONE, PAYPERCALL
`
`STRING
`Example for telephony numbers:
`Numbering Plan ID: E.164 or private ID
`Number: fully qualified E.164 or private
`number
`
`[0053] A high-level block diagram of the network trans-
`lations subsystem to resolve called alias information to one
`or more terminating endpoints associated with the alias is
`provided in FIG. 3. Arrows between the blocksindicate the
`general flow of execution. The functions provided by the
`translations subsystem 300 are organized into subcompo-
`nents. A subcomponent function may be implemented using
`software executing on a computer platform or using

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket