System and method for treating a call for call processing

Abstract

A signaling interface exchanges call-associated and non-call-associated SS7 messages with an SS7 system. The signaling interface transfers call information from the call-associated SS7 messages, and processes maintenance information from the non-call associated SS7 messages to perform system maintenance. A call processing platform processes the call information on a call-by-call basis to identify interworking information to route the calls and transfers control messages indicating the interworking information. An interworking unit receives the control messages and interworks between TDM communications for the calls and packet communications for the calls by placing the interworking information in headers of the packet communications on a call-by-call basis. A communication device routes the packet communications for the calls based on the interworking information in the headers.

1 . A communication system that is coupled to a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) system that exchanges TDM communications for a plurality of calls, wherein the communication system is also coupled to a Signaling System Seven (SS7) system that exchanges call-associated SS7 messages for the calls and that exchanges non-call-associated SS7 messages for system maintenance, the communication system comprising: 
 a signaling interface configured to exchange the call-associated SS7 messages and the non-call-associated SS7 messages with the SS7 system, to transfer call information from the call-associated SS7 messages, and to process maintenance information from the non-call associated SS7 messages to perform the system maintenance;    a call processing platform configured to receive and process the call information on a call-by-call basis to identify interworking information to route the calls, and to transfer control messages indicating the interworking information;    an interworking unit configured to receive the control messages for the calls and to interwork between the TDM communications for the calls and packet communications for the calls by placing the interworking information in headers of the packet communications on a call-by-call basis; and    a communication device configured to route the packet communications for the calls on a call-by-call basis based on the interworking information in the headers.    
   
   
       2 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise blocking messages and unblocking messages.  
   
   
       3 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit reset messages.  
   
   
       4 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit query messages.  
   
   
       5 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit validation test messages.  
   
   
       6 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise continuity test messages.  
   
   
       7 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise loopback messages.  
   
   
       8 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the call-associated SS7 messages comprise initial address messages.  
   
   
       9 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the call-associated SS7 messages comprise address complete messages, answer messages, and release messages.  
   
   
       10 . The communication system of  claim 1  wherein the packet communications comprise asynchronous transfer mode communications.  
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a communication system that is coupled to a Time Division Multiplex (TDM) system that exchanges TDM communications for a plurality of calls, wherein the communication system is also coupled to a Signaling System Seven (SS7) system that exchanges call-associated SS7 messages for the calls and that exchanges non-call-associated SS7 messages for system maintenance, the method comprising: 
 in a signaling interface, exchanging the call-associated SS7 messages and the non-call-associated SS7 messages with the SS7 system, transferring call information from the call-associated SS7 messages, and processing maintenance information from the non-call associated SS7 messages to perform the system maintenance;    in a call processing platform, receiving and processing the call information on a call-by-call basis to identify interworking information to route the calls and transferring control messages indicating the interworking information;    in an interworking unit, receiving the control messages for the calls and interworking between the TDM communications for the calls and packet communications for the calls by placing the interworking information in headers of the packet communications on a call-by-call basis; and    routing the packet communications for the calls on a call-by-call basis based on the interworking information in the headers.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise blocking messages and unblocking messages.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit reset messages.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit query messages.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise circuit validation test messages.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise continuity test messages.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the non-call-associated SS7 messages comprise loopback messages.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the call-associated SS7 messages comprise initial address messages.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the call-associated SS7 messages comprise address complete messages, answer messages, and release messages.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the packet communications comprise asynchronous transfer mode communications.