Robert I Shepard

US Patent:

57321302, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Sep 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/709527

Inventors:

Michael Q. Iapalucci - Carrollton TX
Robert I. Shepard - Lakewood CO

Assignee:

Ericsson Inc. - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

H04M 342

US Classification:

379207

Abstract:

A system and method for providing advanced voice services to subscribers of a telecommunications network are disclosed. The system comprises a local switch connected to the telecommunications network for providing two-way communication between the subscribers and the network. A database of subscriber services, which may be a virtual service switching point (ViSSP), is connected to the local switch, and an intelligent peripheral (IP) is connected to the database and the local switch. The IP processes voice information and dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) digits received from the switch in response to instructions from the database. The system retrieves subscriber services from the database utilizing a call-setup protocol such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) call setup protocol, and provides the services to the switch. The system also retrieves the processed voice information and DTMF digits from the IP and provides the processed information and digits to the switch.

US Patent:

53771869, Dec 27, 1994

Filed:

Jul 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/095300

Inventors:

David C. Wegner - Garland TX
Robert I. Shepard - Lakewood CO

Assignee:

Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson - Stockholm

International Classification:

H04J 312

US Classification:

370 62

Abstract:

A system and method for retrieving enhanced subscriber services from at least one database and delivering those services to the subscribers of a telecommunications network without requiring the expensive upgrading of local switches (LSs) to operate with the Transaction Capabilities Application Part/Advanced Intelligent Network (TCAP/AIN) communications protocol. The system comprises a plurality of LSs which are connected to an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and provide the subscribers with access to the network. The system also includes at least one virtual service switching point (ViSSP) within the AIN for storing the database of enhanced subscriber services. LSs or tandem switches may retrieve enhanced subscriber services from the ViSSP utilizing the Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP) call-setup protocol.