Arrangement for providing a call-connection service

Abstract

In a private communication network (10) served by a provider of call interconnection services, e.g., a carrier service node (15), the number of trunks (50-52) used within a call path is reduced without affecting the private nature of the private network. The service provider serves customer calls by means of a service node controller (SNC 40)--a switch such as a PBX. The SNC directly interconnects trunks (50,51) that connect it with a call-source and a call-destination node (20,21) of the customer, without routing the call through the customer's tandem node (24). The SNC merely queries the customer's tandem node over a control link (53), such as an ISDN D channel, to obtain requisite call-routing information from the customer's database (60). The customer retains ownership and control of the tandem node and its database, thereby preserving the private nature of the private network.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of communication nodes, the apparatus comprising: means in a first one of the nodes for responding to a request from the customer for establishment of a call path between second and third ones of the nodes, by obtaining from a fourth one of the nodes call-routing information pertaining to the second and third ones of the nodes, the first one of the nodes being under control of the service provider, and the second, third, and fourth ones of the nodes being under control of the customer, and   means in the first one of the nodes for interconnecting, in response to the obtained call-routing information, a) a call path extending between the first one of the nodes and the second one of the nodes and b) a call path extending between the first one of the nodes and the third one of the nodes to form a call path between and second and third ones of the nodes which bypasses the fourth one of the nodes.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus for providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of communication nodes, the apparatus comprising .[.the steps of.].: means for receiving at a node of the network that is under control of a provider of the service a request from the customer for establishment of a call path between a first and a second node of the network that are under control of the customer;   means connected to the request-receiving means for sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a third node of the network that is under control of the customer, in response to the received request;   means for receiving call-routing information from the third node at the node of the service provider; and   means connected to the call-routing information-receiving means for connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes that bypasses the third node, in response to the received call-routing information.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises means for sending a data message over a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the third node of the customer; and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a data message over the control communication link.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises means for sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the third node of the customer; and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for receiving a request for establishment of a call path comprises means included in a call-path switching apparatus operated by the provider of the service for receiving a request from the customer for establishment of a call-path between a first and a second call-path switching apparatus operated by the customer; and wherein   the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises   means included in the call-path switching apparatus operated by the provider of the service for sending a request for the customer's call-routing information to a routing-information-generating apparatus operated by the customer.   
     
     
       6. A method of providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of communication nodes, the method comprising the steps of: responding at a first one of the nodes to a request from the customer for establishment of a call path between second and third ones of the nodes, by obtaining from a fourth one of the nodes call-routing information pertaining to the second and third ones of the nodes, the first one of the nodes being under control of the service provider, and the second, third, and fourth ones of the nodes being under control of the customer; and   interconnecting at the first one of the nodes, in response to the obtained call-routing information, (a) a call path extending between the first one of the nodes and the second one of the nodes and (b) a call path extending between the first one of the nodes and the third one of the nodes to form a call path between the second and third ones of the nodes which bypasses the fourth one of the nodes.   
     
     
       7. Method of providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of communication nodes, comprising the steps of: receiving at a node of the network that is under control of a provider of the service a request from the customer for establishment of a call path between a first and a second node of the network that are under control of the customer;   sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a third node of the network that is under control of the customer, in response to the received request;   receiving call-routing information from the third node at the node of the service provider;   connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes that bypasses the third node, in response to the received call-routing information.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of sending a data message over a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the third node of the customer; and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a data message over the control communication link.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the third node of the customer; and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving a request for establishment of a call path comprises the step of receiving at a call-path switching apparatus operated by the provider of the service a request from the customer for establishment of a call path between a first and a second call-path switching apparatus operated by the customer, and wherein   the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of   sending a request for the customer's call-routing information from the call-path switching apparatus operated by the provider of the service to a routing-information-generating apparatus operated by the customer. .Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  Apparatus for routing a call in a network of service provider's communication nodes and at least one service customer's communication nodes, the apparatus comprising: means in a node of the service provider for responding to a request for establishment of a call path by obtaining call-routing information from a node of a service customer, and   means in the node of the service provider for interconnecting, in response to the obtained call-routing information, a) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a first node other than said node of the service customer and b) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a second node other than said node of the service customer to form a call path between the first and the second nodes which bypasses said node of the service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein   the interconnecting means include   means for establishing, in response to the obtained call-routing information, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The apparatus of claim 11 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of a plurality of service customers, wherein   the obtaining means include   means responsive to the request, for determining from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information will be obtained; and   means cooperative with the determining means for obtaining the call-routing information from a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.14.  Apparatus for routing a call in a network of service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of at least one service customer, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving at a node of the service provider a request for establishment of a call path;   means cooperative with the request-receiving means for sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a node of a service customer, in response to the received request;   means for receiving call-routing information from the node of the service customer at the node of the service provider; and   means cooperative with the call-routing information-receiving means for connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a first one of the nodes with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a second one of the nodes to form a call path between the first and the second nodes that bypasses the node of the service customer, in response   
     
     
        to the received call-routing information. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.  The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises   means for sending a data message over a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer; and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a data message over the control communication link. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein   the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises   means for sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer, and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein   the call-path connecting means include   means for establishing, at the node of the service provider, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second one of the nodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 14 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and a plurality of service customers' communication nodes, wherein   the request-sending means include   means responsive to the received request for establishment of a call path for determining from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information should be obtained; and   means cooperative with the determining means for sending the request for call-routing information to a node of the determined one service customer.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.19.  Apparatus for providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of service provider's communication nodes and at least one service customer's communication nodes, the apparatus comprising: means in a node of the service provider for responding to a request for establishment of a call path between first and second nodes, by obtaining from a node of a service customer and other than the first or the second node, call-routing information pertaining to the first and second nodes; and   means in the node of the service provider for interconnecting, in response to the obtained call-routing information, a) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node and b) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes which bypasses said node of the service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein   the interconnecting means include   means for establishing, in response to the obtained call-routing information, the call path extending between the node of the service   
     
     
        provider and the second node. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  The apparatus of claim 19 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of a plurality of service customers, wherein the responding means include   means responsive to the request, for determining from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information will be obtained; and   means cooperative with the determining means for obtaining the call-routing information from a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. Apparatus for providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of at least one service customer, the apparatus comprising:   means for receiving at a node of the service provider a request for establishment of a call path between a first and a second node of the network;   means cooperative with the request-receiving means for sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a node of a service customer, in response to the receiver request;   means for receiving call-routing information from the node of the service customer at the nose of the service provider; and   means cooperative with the call-routing information-receiving means for connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes that bypasses the node of the service customer, in response to the received   
     
     
        call-routing information. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises   means for sending a data message cover a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer, and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a data message over the control communication link. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein   the means for sending a request for call-routing information comprises   means for sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer, and wherein   the means for receiving call-routing information comprises   means for receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the call-path connecting means include   means for establishing, at the node of the service provider, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second one of the nodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The apparatus of claim 22 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and a plurality of service customers' communication nodes, wherein   the request-sending means include   means responsive to the received request for establishment of a call path for determining from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information should be obtained; and   means cooperative with the determining means for sending the request for call-routing information to a node of the determined one service customer.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  A method of routing a call in a network of service provider's communication nodes and at least one service customer's communication nodes, the method comprising the steps of: responding at a node of the service provider to a request for establishment of a call path by obtaining call-routing information from a node of a service customer, and   interconnecting at the node of the service provider, in response to the obtained call-routing information, (a) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a first node other than said node of the service customer and (b) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a second node other than said node of the service customer to form a call path between the first and the second nodes which bypasses said node of the service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The method of claim 27 wherein   the step of interconnecting includes the step of   establishing, in response to the obtained call-routing information, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The method of claim 27 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of a plurality of service customers, wherein   the step of responding comprises the steps of   determining, in response to the request, from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information will be obtained; and   obtaining, in response to the determination, the call routing information   
     
     
        from a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  A method of routing a call in a network of service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of at least one service customer, comprising the steps of: receiving at a node of the service provider a request for establishment of a call path;   sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a node of a service customer, in response to the received request;   receiving call-routing information from the node of the service customer at the node of the service provider;   connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a first one of the nodes with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and a second one of the nodes to form a call path between the first and the second ones of the nodes that by passes the node of the service customer,   
     
     
        in response to the received call-routing information. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of   sending a data message over a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer; and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a data message over the control communication link. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The method of claim 30 wherein   the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of   sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer, and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.     The method of claim 30 wherein the step of connecting a call path includes the step of   establishing, at the node of the service provider, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second one of the nodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The method of claim 30 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and a plurality of service customers' communication nodes, wherein   the step of sending a request includes the steps of   determining, in response to receipt of the request for establishment of a call path, from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information should be obtained; and   sending, in response to the determination, the request for call-routing information to a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.35.  A method of providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of service provider's communication nodes and at least one service customer's communication nodes, the method comprising the steps of: responding at a node of the service provider to a request for establishment of a call path between first and second nodes, by obtaining from a node of a service customer and other than the first or the second node, call-routing information pertaining to the first and second nodes; and   interconnecting at the node of the service provider, in response to the obtained call-routing information, (a) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node and (b) a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes which bypasses said node of the service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The method of claim 35 wherein   the step of interconnecting includes the step of   establishing, in response to the obtained call-routing information, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The method of claim 35 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of a plurality of service customers, wherein   the step of responding comprises the steps of   determining, in response to the request, from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information will be obtained; and   obtaining, in response to the determination, the call routing information   
     
     
        from a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  A method of providing a call-connection service to a customer of the service in a network of service provider's communication nodes and communication nodes of at least one service customer, comprising the steps of: receiving at a node of the service provider a request for establishment of a call path between a first and a second node of the network;   sending a request for call-routing information from the node of the service provider to a node of a service customer, in response to the received request;   receiving call-routing information from the node of the service customer at the node of the service provider;   connecting, at the node of the service provider, a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the first node with a call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second node to form a call path between the first and the second nodes that bypasses the node of the service customer, in response to the received   
     
     
        call-routing information. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39.  The method of claim 38 wherein the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of   sending a data message over a control communication link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer, and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a data message over the control communication link. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The method of claim 38 wherein   the step of sending a request for call-routing information comprises the step of   sending a message over a D channel of an ISDN link connecting the node of the service provider with the node of the service customer; and wherein   the step of receiving call-routing information comprises the step of   receiving a message over the D channel of the ISDN link. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.     The method of claim 38 wherein the step of connecting a call path includes the step of   establishing, at the node of the service provider, the call path extending between the node of the service provider and the second one of the nodes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The method of claim 38 in a network of the service provider's communication nodes and a plurality of service customers' communication nodes, wherein   the step of sending a request includes the steps of   determining, in response to receipt of the request for establishment of a call path, from which one of the plurality of service customers call-routing information should be obtained; and   sending, in response to the determination, the request for call-routing information to a node of the determined one service customer. .Iaddend.