Granted Patent B2

US 7,050,414 · App. 09/888,188 · Granted May 23, 2006

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. A method comprising the steps of:

directing a call intended for a mobile to a virtual tandem switch;

querying, by the virtual tandem switch, a home location register to obtain call information for the mobile;

converting control messages at a first location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

converting voice messages at a first location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

converting control messages at a second location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

converting voice messages at a second location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol; and setting up the call to the mobile over a packet-based transport network;

wherein the virtual tandem switch supports protocols selected from the group consisting of ISUP, Primary Rate Interface (PRI), and Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP), ATM UNI 3.1/4.0, Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), IPDC+, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), H.248 , ISUP+, and bearer independent call control (BICC).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of converting non-packet-based protocol voice messages at a first location comprises converting a time division multiplexed protocol.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the call is directed to the mobile while the mobile is roaming away from its home service area.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of converting the non-packet-based protocol voice messages at a second location comprises converting a time division multiplexed protocol.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of routing at least one of the control messages and voice messages between the first and the second locations with a network feature server.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile accesses a wireless network based on a wireless air interface selected from the froup consisting of IS-41, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and UMTS.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual tandem switch performs echo control.

8. A switch comprising:

a first converter arranged and constructed to convert control messages between a packet-based protocol and a first protocol, wherein the first converter is located at a first geographic location;

a second converter arranged and constructed to convert voice messages between a packet-based protocol and a first protocol, wherein the second converter is located at the first geographic location;

a third converter arranged and constructed to convert control messages between a packet-based protocol and a second protocol, wherein the third converter is located at a second geographic location; and

a fourth converter arranged and constructed to convert voice messages between a packet-based protocol and a second protocol, wherein the fourth converter is located at the second geographic location; and

wherein the switch provides a gateway between the public switched telephone network and a wireless network; and

wherein the switch supports protocols selected from the group consisting of ISUP, Primary Rate Interface (PRI), and Transactions Capabilities Application Part (TCAP), ATM UNI 3.1/4.0, Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), IPDC+, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), H.248, ISUP+, and bearer independent call control (BICC).

9. The switch of claim 8 , wherein the first protocol is an ISDN User Part signalling protocol and the second protocol is a time division multiplexed protocol.

10. The switch of claim 8 , further comprising a network feature server, arranged and constructed to provide network routing between the converters.

11. The switch of claim 8 , further comprising a switch management system, arranged and constructed to provide operation, administration, and provisioning of the converters of the switch.

12. A method of providing a gateway between a public switched telephone network and a wireless network comprising the steps of:

converting control messages at a first location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

converting voice messages at a first location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

converting control messages at a second location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol; and

converting voice messages at a second location, between a packet-based protocol and a non-packet-based protocol;

wherein the gateway supports protocols selected from the group consisting of ISUP, Primary Rate Interface (PRI), and Transaction Capabilites Application Part (TCAP), ATM UNI 3.1/4.0, Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), IPDC+, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), H.248, ISUP+, and bearer independent call control (BICC).

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of converting the non-packet-based protocol voice messages at a first location comprises converting a time division multiplexed protocol.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of converting the non-packet-based protocol voice messages at a second location comprises converting a time division multiplexed protocol.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of routing at least one of the control messages and voice messages between the first and the second locations with a network feature server.

Assignments (11)