Method and apparatus for sending updates to a call control element from an application server

Abstract

A method and apparatus for enabling Application Servers to automatically update the databases used by Call Control Elements as changes occur between customer data, such as customer specific logic, and the Application Servers, such as the IP addresses of the Application Servers are disclosed. Whenever there is a change in the location of customer specific data needed by the CCEs, e.g., switching from one AS to a new AS, the new AS will automatically update the relevant database in the CCEs to indicate such an update has occurred. After the automatic update is performed, the CCEs will be able to communicate with the correct AS to retrieve and process the customer specific service logic.

1 . A method for sending an update to a Call Control Element (CCE) in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving updated customer specific information associated with a subscriber at a second application server (AS) of the communication network, where said updated customer specific information is sent by a first application server (AS);   storing said updated customer specific information in said second AS; and   sending an Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and a customer identity associated with said subscriber to at least one CCE.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said customer identity comprises a phone number of said subscriber. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said updated customer specific information comprises at least one of: a services feature subscribed by said subscriber, a routing logic associated with said subscriber or a service logic associated with said subscriber. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using said IP address by said at least one CCE for processing a call setup message.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and said customer identity are sent to said at least one CCE by said second AS. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first AS and said at least one CCE also reside in the communication network. 
   
   
       8 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for sending an update to a Call Control Element (CCE) in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving updated customer specific information associated with a subscriber at a second application server (AS) of the communication network, where said updated customer specific information is sent by a first application server (AS);   storing said updated customer specific information in said second AS; and   sending an Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and a customer identity associated with said subscriber to at least one CCE.   
   
   
       9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
   
   
       10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said customer identity comprises a phone number of said subscriber. 
   
   
       11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said updated customer specific information comprises at least one of: a services feature subscribed by said subscriber, a routing logic associated with said subscriber or a service logic associated with said subscriber. 
   
   
       12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 using said IP address by said at least one CCE for processing a call setup message.   
   
   
       13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and said customer identity are sent to said at least one CCE by said second AS. 
   
   
       14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said first AS and said at least one CCE also reside in the communication network. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for sending an update to a Call Control Element (CCE) in a communication network, comprising:
 means for receiving updated customer specific information associated with a subscriber at a second application server (AS) of the communication network, where said updated customer specific information is sent by a first application server (AS);   means for storing said updated customer specific information in said second AS; and   means for sending an Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and a customer identity associated with said subscriber to at least one CCE.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said customer identity comprises a phone number of said subscriber. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said updated customer specific information comprises at least one of: a services feature subscribed by said subscriber, a routing logic associated with said subscriber or a service logic associated with said subscriber. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 means for using said IP address by said at least one CCE for processing a call setup message.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said Internet Protocol (IP) address of said second AS and said customer identity are sent to said at least one CCE by said second AS.