JP2010534024A - Method and system for handling communication traffic - Google Patents

Abstract

  A method of processing data through a telecommunications network, for example, between a calling party and a called party, the communication network including a plurality of connection points interconnected with various communication paths, the communication path A method in which at least some of them are monitored to obtain specific parameters that reflect quality of service for data transfer over the path. The method includes selecting and setting the parameters, assigning a quantitative evaluation to each parameter, storing the evaluated parameters in a database, and using the stored parameters for communication. Comparing parameters acquired in two or more paths, determining a path that is the most preferable combination of the parameters by designated software, and performing data transfer through the determined path. Although parameter extraction is performed intermittently, monitoring may be performed constantly.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more particularly to the exchange of data messages, including telephone calls (hereinafter collectively referred to as “calls”), with remote parties. More specifically, the present invention relates to the management of the quality (in the broadest sense) of telephone message transfer over two or more communication paths, such as satellite communications, Internet protocols, cellular networks, fixed telephone communications, and the like.

Explanation of terms CGC: Carrier grade controller.
PBX: Private branch exchange.
Gateway: A means for enabling and / or managing access or forwarding from one type of network to another.
VoIP: Voice over Internet protocol.
Callback: A communication routine in which the service provider calls the caller back before the call is completed.
Load balancing: Technology that distributes work among two or more resources to optimize utilization, processing power, or response time. Using multiple components with load balancing instead of a single component would improve reliability through redundancy.
QoS: Quality of service. Means one or more measurable parameters (load distribution, average opinion score, average success rate, etc.) used to determine the best data transfer quality among two or more communication path connection points To do.
MOS: Average opinion score. A numerical measure of perceived quality at the receiving media after compression and / or transmission. The MOS is expressed in stages 1 to 5, where 1 is the lowest perceived quality and 5 is the highest perceived quality.

  As is now well known, all kinds of digital information, as well as audio, can be processed from one point to another through various routes. These paths may be composed of two or more media connected in series.

  For example, a telephone call connection is started from one end via a fixed telephone (copper wire or optical fiber), followed by a wireless transceiver including satellite communication, Wi-Fi and / or a cellular network, and finally fixed again. It can be received at the other end via the telephone. The same applies to the response to the call.

  All of these routes coexist in parallel at all times, and route selection is not under the control of the caller. Actual routing is a matter determined by the telecommunications entity, and is not always consistent with the interests of the public receiving the service, according to the preference of the entity.

  In general, the benefit of an individual user is that calls or other data are processed in the most reliable way, with the highest quality conversion, and with the lowest cost. Of course, if an individual user compromises on these three factors, he or she will apply a scale of choice that is tailored to the individual situation from time to time.

  Even considering the vast competition of so many telecommunication service providers, if these factors can be optimized dynamically, the probability of the provider surviving will be higher.

  In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is a system for optimizing the combination of available attachment points and routes, in which data such as telephone calls are always processed Is to provide.

  A further object of the invention is to use the latest results for ongoing calls as parameters for directing calls through other coexisting paths and attachment points.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to monitor outgoing packets on the packet network to receive real-time parameters of network conditions, thereby allowing outgoing calls to be routed through different coexisting paths and attachment points. It is to be.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to adapt the system to a callback type telephone communication provider (JAJAH (registered trademark), etc.) using the Internet.

  Yet another object of the present invention is that a VoIP service provider can select an optimal route obtained through several attachment points suitable for a received call and direct the call to such a route. It is to provide a method for handling telephone calls through a system.

  The present invention is a method of processing data through a telecommunications network, for example, between a calling party and a called party, the communication network including a plurality of connection points interconnected with various communication paths. , Providing a method in which at least some of the communication paths are monitored to obtain specific parameters reflecting quality of service for data transfer through the paths. The method includes selecting and setting the parameters, assigning a quantitative evaluation to each parameter, storing the evaluated parameters in a database, and using the stored parameters for communication. Comparing parameters acquired in two or more paths, determining a path that is the most preferable combination of the parameters by designated software, and performing data transfer through the determined path.

  Although parameter extraction is performed intermittently, monitoring may be performed constantly.

  These and further features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and in light of the following description of some preferred embodiments for illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 5 is an overall flowchart of a method for sending a call through CGC and several attachment points such as PBX, provider, gateway, and the like. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating various options available for initiating a call. It is a block diagram of CGC applicable to the Example of FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an analysis process of data retrieved from the database of FIG. 5. An array illustrating the database structure and the input obtained from any PBX, provider and gateway on the call path. It is a flowchart of the process after selecting a specific route and establishing communication.

  In FIG. 1, the triggering call is initiated either directly or using a callback routine.

  Essentially all calls are ultimately relayed through one or more attachment points such as private branch exchange (PBX) 105, service provider 108, gateway 109, and the like.

  In the simplest case where there is no other attachment point or path and there is nothing to optimize, the call is forwarded directly to the destination (called party).

  If the caller is a web-initiated telephony provider, such as a subscriber such as JAJAH®, according to the present invention, this path is carrier-grade as detailed below with reference to FIGS. A controller (CGC) 104 is included.

  According to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, if the caller's service provider detects the option of sending outgoing packets for a packet network through several paths or connection points and optimizes the packet path, This path includes a carrier grade controller (CGC) 104, detailed below with reference to FIGS.

  The CGC is a decision-making unit that selects an optimum route according to criteria programmed in the CGC according to information retrieved from the database 106 (see FIG. 5 below).

  The PBX 105 forwards the CGC decision to the service provider 108 so that the service provider can contact the calling and called parties through the gateway 109 using a callback scheme. The gateway directs calls through several attachment points and paths in line with CGC decisions.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an outgoing call may be initiated by any of the device 201 (personal digital assistant: PDA), mobile phone 202, personal computer (PC) 203, and landline phone 204, Use the respective protocol or technique for transferring data over the network.

  In general, and as an embodiment of the present invention, a call may be initiated by any of the protocols WAP 205, SMS 206, HTTP 207, VoIP 208, and voice 209 (shown in FIG. 1). According to the protocol, the call reaches the callback service provider's PBX 211 or website 210.

  As already mentioned, the CGC functions to select the most effective route obtained through several attachment points suitable for the processed call depending on the data retrieved from the database.

  As already mentioned, CGC is the most preferred obtained through several connection points to send outgoing packets over the packet network in response to data received from feedback legs such as MOS, load balancing, QoS, etc. Functions to determine the route.

  3 and 4, the CGC is programmed to handle outgoing calls in the following manner.

  If it is not possible to connect to the called party using a method other than a fixed telephone (copper wire or optical fiber), a direct connection can be established via the provider 108 and the gateway 109 as shown in FIG. 1 (in the flowchart of FIG. 3). See first option).

  In cases other than the above, selection processing from a number of different routes is performed.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the caller initiates a call request through the provider. The provider can transmit the call through the CGC to select a route directly connected by wiring or a more preferable route for the call.

  Various additional criteria may be utilized, but according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, it is proposed to take into account three parameters: performance, cost per minute, and / or quality of service. Is done. Quantitative real-time information about these parameters is continuously monitored for actual ongoing calls, either continuously or extractively (see feedback line 600 in FIG. 6).

  The array of FIG. 5 is obtained from any attachment point (PBX, provider, and gateway) placed on the network between the possible caller / callee paths available on the network and stored in the database 106. 1 illustrates one technique for storing information to be processed.

  Symbols such as XXX1, YYY2, etc. represent the IP address of the relevant component (PBX, provider or gateway, as the case may be).

  “Performance” (first feedback leg) is intended to include network disruption or complete blockage, such as due to overloading of PBX on the line causing physical communication disruption.

  “Quality” refers to the clarity of transmission (depending mainly on the regular multiplexing of packets when using VoIP).

  “Cost per minute” means the fee charged by the various entities involved. This cost typically varies from country to country and also depends on the time and / or day of the week when the transmission occurred.

  Data about these variables is supplied and entered from the feedback legs (see the example of FIG. 5) in an order predetermined by the system's evaluation values (ie priority, quality and cost per minute), and each field is It is stored in a database arranged by headers (PBX, service provider, gateway, etc.).

  The feedback leg contains information, Boolean variables, or other data regarding packet network and node performance. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the feedback leg may be a MOS, network capacity, average success rate, average call time, etc., reflecting a detailed image of the overall network situation.

  The information received by the feedback leg is supplied to the database. The CGC is equipped with designated software for processing output that is sorted to suit the programmed evaluation by processing the examination and stored data.

  With this analysis result, the CGC “determines” the available connection points and routes that are most beneficial to the subscriber under the given conditions.

  When a specific route is selected, the call is completed as shown in FIG. 6, but the packet header transmitted at this time includes a route determined to guide the packet to the destination through all selected connection points. Datagrams are included.

  Scholarly readers know that the above explanation depends on the complexity of the paths that can be used simultaneously between the caller and the called party under conditions that change constantly, and the vast number of combinations and permutations. It will be readily understood that this is only an example.

  Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will readily recognize that many variations, applications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. I will.

Claims (9)

A method of processing data through a telecommunications network, for example, between a calling party and a called party,
The communication network includes a plurality of connection points interconnected with various communication paths, and at least some of the communication paths acquire specific parameters reflecting quality of service related to data transfer through the paths. To be monitored and
The method comprises: a. Selecting and setting the parameters;
b. Assigning a quantitative assessment to each parameter;
c. Storing the evaluated parameters in a database;
d. Comparing the parameters obtained from two or more paths available for communication with the stored parameters;
e. Determining, by designated software, a route that is the most preferred combination of the parameters;
f. Performing data transfer through the determined path.   The method of claim 1, further characterized in that steps e and f are repeated from time to time during the data transfer to evaluate whether another path should be determined and used.   The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the attachment points includes a gateway.   The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the connection points comprises PBX.   The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the attachment points includes a service provider.   The method according to claim 3, wherein the network parameter is obtained from at least one of the connection points.   The method of claim 1, further characterized in that one of the parameters is a cost per minute of data transfer.   The method of claim 1, further characterized in that one of the parameters is a quality of service for data transfer.   9. The method of claim 8, further characterized in that the quality of service may include various real-time data such as average opinion score, average talk time and average success rate.

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