Implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based forwarding service
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a method and system for implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based call-forwarding service. In the present invention, the switch-based call-forwarding generates an Off-Hook Delay (OHD) trigger. In response, the SSP suspends call processing and sends the forward-to number to the SCP. Based upon the SCP's determination of whether the forward-to number is for voicemail and other criteria such as time of day, day of the week, etc, the SCP determines whether the switch-based call-forward should be permitted or inhibited.
1. A method for routing calls in an Advanced Intelligent Network, the method comprising:
detecting an off-hook delay trigger in a service switching point (“SSP”), the off-hook delay trigger comprising a forward-to number and indicating a switch-based call forward attempt from a subscriber line to the forward-to number;
suspending call processing to the forward-to number based upon the detected off-hook delay trigger; and
determining, while call processing is suspended, whether the call forward should be permitted, based on the forward-to number.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a message to a service control point (“SCP”) while call processing is suspended.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the message includes the forward-to number to which the call-forward attempt is made.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
determining whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number;
wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises determining whether the call forward should be permitted based on whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:
preventing the call-forward based upon a determination that the forward-to number is a voicemail number.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
forwarding the call to more than one subscriber line prior to detecting an off-hook delay trigger.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises permitting the switch-based call forward.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forwarding the call to voicemail.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forwarding the call to a second subscriber line.
10. The method of claim 3 , wherein the message is an infocollected message, and wherein the infocollected message further comprises a specific digit string associated with the subscriber line.
11. The method of claim 4 , wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:
evaluating one or more criteria to determine whether the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers other than the forward-to number.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more criteria comprise a time of day.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more criteria comprise a day of week.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises:
determining that the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers selected from the group consisting of a business number associated with the subscriber line, a residential number associated with the subscriber line, and a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the off-hook delay trigger indicates a call-forward on busy attempt or a call-forward on no answer attempt.
16. A system for routing calls, the system comprising:
a service control point (“SCP”); and
a service switching point (“SSP”) in communication with the SCP and associated with a subscriber line, the a subscriber line having switch-based call forwarding associated therewith, the SSP being configured to:
detect an off-hook delay trigger, the off-hook delay trigger comprising a forward-to number and indicating a switch-based call forward attempt from a subscriber line to the forward-to number;
suspend call processing to the forward-to number based upon the detected off-hook delay trigger; and
determine, while call processing is suspended, whether the call forward should be permitted, based on the forward-to number.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the SSP is further configured to:
send a message to the SCP while call processing is suspended, the message comprising the forward-to number.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the message is an infocollected message, and wherein the infocollected message further comprises a specific digit string associated with the subscriber line.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the SSP is further configured to:
determine whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number;
wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted comprises determining whether the call forward should be permitted based on whether the forward-to number is a voicemail number.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein determining whether the call forward should be permitted further comprises:
evaluating one or more criteria to determine whether the call should be forwarded to one or more numbers other than the forward-to number.