Method and system for routing incoming communications in a communications network

Abstract

A method and system for routing incoming communications in a communications network are provided. The network comprises a plurality of network elements. An addressable number is associated with a plurality of communications devices each identified by a unique identifier. A communication addressed to a communications device is received at a network element, the communication comprising the addressable number. A subscriber service profile associated with the addressable number is retrieved at a discrete network element, where an appropriate communications device for delivery of the incoming communication based on pre-established criteria in the subscriber service profile is determined. An identifier of the appropriate communications device is forwarded from the discrete network element to the network element. The communication is transmitted to the appropriate communications device. The subscriber service profile comprises preferences for delivery of communications, and a list of communications devices that are at least one of active and registered.

1 . A method for routing incoming communications in a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements in which an addressable number is associated with a plurality of communications devices each having a unique identifier associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a first one of said network elements, an incoming communication addressed to a communications device of said plurality of communications devices, said incoming communication comprising said addressable number;   retrieving, at a discrete network element, a subscriber service profile associated with said addressable number;   determining, at said discrete network element, from said plurality of communications devices associated with said addressable number an appropriate communications device for delivery of said incoming communication based on pre-established criteria in said subscriber service profile;   forwarding an identifier of said appropriate communications device from said discrete network element to said first one of said network elements; and   transmitting said incoming communication to said appropriate communications device,   wherein said subscriber service profile comprises preferences for delivery of incoming communications, and a list of communications devices, of said plurality of communications devices, that are at least one of active and registered.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pre-established criteria comprises a preferential order of communications devices for delivery of incoming communications. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said subscriber service profile further comprises a last location of each communications device, of said plurality of communication devices, based on previous location retrieval attempts. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said determining said appropriate communications device for delivery of said incoming communication comprises:
 selecting a first communications device from among said plurality of communications devices according to said pre-established criteria;   determining if said first communications device is available or unavailable to receive said incoming communication;   if said first communications device is available to receive said incoming communication, designating said first communications device as said appropriate communications device; and   if said first communications device is unavailable to receive said incoming communication, then:
 selecting an alternative communications device from among the plurality of communications devices according to said pre-established criteria; and 
 determining if said alternative communications device is available or unavailable to receive said incoming communication and if said alternative communications device is available to receive said incoming communication, designating said selected alternative communications device as said appropriate communications device. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said determining said appropriate communications device for delivery of said incoming communication further comprises:
 if said alternative communications device is unavailable, repeating selecting of communication devices and determining availability thereof until said appropriate communications device has been designated or until all communications devices of said plurality of communications devices have been determined to be unavailable; and   if all said communications devices of said plurality of communications devices have been determined to be unavailable, then designating an address for delivery of said incoming communication, wherein said address is specified in said subscriber service profile.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said determining if said first communications device is available or unavailable to receive said incoming communication comprises determining if said first communications device is registered or unregistered by:
 sending an interrogation to said first communications device;   determining, based on the presence or absence of an appropriate reply to said interrogation, that said first communications device is respectively registered or unregistered.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said incoming communication is received from at least one of a telephony service, a text message service, and a data service, and said appropriate communications device is selected based on a type of service that said incoming communication is received from. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said communications network is enabled to route different types of communications, and said pre-established criteria comprises routing preferences based on a type of said incoming communication. 
     
     
         9 . A method for limiting access to communications services in a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements and in which an addressable number is associated with a plurality of communications devices, each of said plurality of communications devices having a unique identifier associated therewith, said method comprising:
 receiving from a first one of said plurality of network elements, at a discrete network element separate from said plurality of network elements, a request for access to a communication service from one of said plurality of communications devices associated with said addressable number;   determining, at said discrete network element, a status of said plurality of communications devices associated with said addressable number and a status of communications services currently being used thereby via a plurality of queries transmitted from said discrete network element to one or more of said plurality of network elements using each said unique identifier; and   one of granting or denying said communication service for which access was requested, said granting and said denying dependent on said status,   wherein said status of said plurality of communications devices and said communication services currently used thereby are determined using:
 current registration information for said plurality of communications devices; 
 traffic information relating to one of establishment and termination of communications sessions by said plurality of communications devices; and 
 interrogation of a state of a mobile communications device wherein said state of the mobile communications device is ambiguous based on said current registration information and said traffic information. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said interrogation of said state of said mobile communications device comprises:
 sending an interrogation to said mobile communications device; and   determining whether a mobile service is being accessed by said mobile communications device based on a respective presence or absence of an appropriate reply to said interrogation.