Patent · US Expired

Optimization of connection paths in a communications network

US6724881B1 · kind B1 · utility

26Cited by
4References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 10, 2000
Grant dateApr 20, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L45/12
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for optimizing an established call routed across a network from an originating exchange to a destination exchange over a first connection path. The first connection path features a path metric of interest, such as administrative weight. A second connection path is identified which features an improved path metric, the path is made operative and the call is directed over the second connection path. Thereafter, the first connection path may be dismantled. The second connection path is preferably identified by signalling a call set-up message over the network, wherein the message incorporates a reporting field and each transiting exchange propagating the message updates the reporting field until it specifies the path metric of the replacement connection path traversed by the call set-up message. A connect message incorporating the reporting field back is signalled back to the originating exchange from the destination exchange. If the reporting field specifies an improved path metric the replacement connection path is then identified; otherwise the process may be repeated until such time as the second path is found. Alternatively, if the call set-up message includes a desired …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.