System and method for processing call signaling

Abstract

A processing system processes a first signaling message from a packet system and identifies a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) communication path to a TDM system. The processing system transfers a control message indicating the TDM communication path. The processing system selects a signaling format for the TDM system and generates a second signaling message in the selected signaling format indicating the TDM communication path. The processing system transfers the second signaling message in the selected signaling format to the TDM system. The interworking system receives the control message and the packet communications, and in response, converts the packet communications into TDM communications and transfers the TDM communications over the TDM communications path to the TDM system.

1 . A communication system that is coupled to a packet system that transfers a first signaling message for a call and transfers packet communications for the call, the communication system comprising: 
 a processing system configured to process the first signaling message from the packet system, identify a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) communication path to a TDM system in response to the first signaling message, transfer a control message indicating the TDM communication path, select a signaling format for the TDM system from a plurality of available signaling formats, generate a second signaling message for the call in the selected signaling format indicating the TDM communication path, and transfer the second signaling message in the selected signaling format to the TDM system; and    an interworking system configured to receive the control message and the packet communications for the call, and in response, to convert the packet communications into TDM communications and transfer the TDM communications over the TDM communications path to the TDM system.    
   
   
       2 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a packet signaling format.  
   
   
       3 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a broadband signaling format.  
   
   
       4 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an asynchronous transfer mode signaling format.  
   
   
       5 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an internet protocol signaling format.  
   
   
       6 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an Ethernet signaling format.  
   
   
       7 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signaling format.  
   
   
       8 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a GR-303 signaling format.  
   
   
       9 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a C7 signaling format.  
   
   
       10 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the processing system is configured to receive the first signaling message from an internet protocol link.  
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a communication system that is coupled to a packet system that transfers a first signaling message for a call and transfers packet communications for the call, the method comprising: 
 receiving and processing the first signaling message from the packet system;    identifying a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) communication path to a TDM system in response to the first signaling message;    selecting a signaling format for the TDM system from a plurality of available signaling formats;    generating a second signaling message for the call in the selected signaling format indicating the TDM communication path;    transferring the second signaling message in the selected signaling format to the TDM system; and    receiving the packet communications for the call, and in response, converting the packet communications into TDM communications and transferring the TDM communications over the TDM communications path to the TDM system.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a packet signaling format.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a broadband signaling format.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an asynchronous transfer mode signaling format.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an internet protocol signaling format.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an Ethernet signaling format.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signaling format.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a GR-303 signaling format.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the available signaling formats comprise a Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling format and a C7 signaling format.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein receiving the first signaling message comprises receiving the first signaling message from an internet protocol link.