CA2404181A1 - System for expanding capacity of a telephone exchange network - Google Patents
System for expanding capacity of a telephone exchange network Download PDFInfo
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- CA2404181A1 CA2404181A1 CA 2404181 CA2404181A CA2404181A1 CA 2404181 A1 CA2404181 A1 CA 2404181A1 CA 2404181 CA2404181 CA 2404181 CA 2404181 A CA2404181 A CA 2404181A CA 2404181 A1 CA2404181 A1 CA 2404181A1
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
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Abstract
A method is provided for expanding capacity of an exchange network of a telephone system when the exchange network includes a plurality of existing communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each existing communication port being associated with a telephone number of a finite set of telephone numbers. The method includes providing a plurality of auxiliary communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with the existing communication ports which are identified by a serial number only so as not to be directly associated with any telephone numbers of the finite set of telephone numbers. Communicating devices connected to the existing communication ports which are not required to directly receive incoming telephone calls are reconnected to the respective auxiliary communication ports.
Description
SYSTEM FOR EXPANDING CAPACITY OF A
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of expanding capacity of an exchange network for a telephone system and the resulting expanded telephone system.
BACKGROUND
A situation exists where there is a mite quantity of individual telephone numbers that can be operated from within a standard Central Office switching system. As a result the increasing demand for numbers will eventually cause this resource to be totally consumed.
The most obvious solution will be increasing the number plan to 11 digit dialling from the present 10-digit system. The impact will be significant. Most telephones, wireless and conventional as well as business software is manufactured around a 10 digit scheme. Reprogramming the various types of software to accommodate 11 digits will be more disruptive than the conversion of computer software to be compliant with the year 2000.
All directories, advertising and signage will be obsolete and will require a complete replacement of all information. It is unlikely that the telephone companies will bear the expense past their own directories. Customers with personalized numbers such as 1-800-BUY-MINE will find their numbers useless.
Conversion to 11 digit switching cannot be accomplished in a extended fashion but instead must be done simultaneously throughout the switching area, i.e.
North America.
Conversion to 11 digit dialling would be accomplished by one of the following methods:
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of expanding capacity of an exchange network for a telephone system and the resulting expanded telephone system.
BACKGROUND
A situation exists where there is a mite quantity of individual telephone numbers that can be operated from within a standard Central Office switching system. As a result the increasing demand for numbers will eventually cause this resource to be totally consumed.
The most obvious solution will be increasing the number plan to 11 digit dialling from the present 10-digit system. The impact will be significant. Most telephones, wireless and conventional as well as business software is manufactured around a 10 digit scheme. Reprogramming the various types of software to accommodate 11 digits will be more disruptive than the conversion of computer software to be compliant with the year 2000.
All directories, advertising and signage will be obsolete and will require a complete replacement of all information. It is unlikely that the telephone companies will bear the expense past their own directories. Customers with personalized numbers such as 1-800-BUY-MINE will find their numbers useless.
Conversion to 11 digit switching cannot be accomplished in a extended fashion but instead must be done simultaneously throughout the switching area, i.e.
North America.
Conversion to 11 digit dialling would be accomplished by one of the following methods:
Firstly, the Area Codes may be changed from three to four digits. This would allow local numbers to remain in a seven digit format and would minimize impact on local publications and signage, however some municipalities are so large that there will still be a requirement to dial all 11 digits to call other users within a single jurisdiction.
Secondly, the three digit local code (nnx) may be changed to four digits. This would allow a tenfold increase in additional exchanges within a Single Area Code, however the impact on directories, publications and signage will be significant. The telephone company would also be required to reverse the installation of multiple area codes within a jurisdiction with the resulting confusion.
Thirdly, the four digit local code (nnx) may be changed to five digits.
This would allow a single exchange code to cover a ten-fold larger capacity without resorting to multiple area codes within a jurisdiction, however the impact on directories, publications and signage will again be significant. The telephone company would also be required to reverse the installation of multiple area codes within a jurisdiction with the resulting confusion.
Any one of the above methods will be both disruptive and expensive to global communications.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of expanding capacity of an exchange network of a telephone system, the exchange network having a plurality of existing communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each existing communication port being associated with a telephone number of a finite set of telephone numbers, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of auxiliary communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with the existing communication ports;
identifying each of the auxiliary communication ports by a serial number only so as not to be directly associated with any telephone numbers of the finite set of telephone numbers;
disconnecting communicating devices connected to the existing communication ports which are not required to be arranged to directly receive incoming telephone calls; and reconnecting said communicating devices to the respective auxiliary communication ports.
The method permits expanding of a Telephone Central Office Switch past the conventional limitation of 10,000 (ten-thousand) individual telephone numbers per exchange block. The Protocol will make sufficient resources available to allow manufacturers and telephone companies sufficient time to develop alternatives.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a telephone system comprising:
an exchange network for a designated finite set of telephone numbers, the exchange network having a plurality of communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each port being identified by a respective serial number;
the communication ports including:
a plurality of first ports arranged to receive incoming telephone calls from the exchange network and to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network, each first port being associated with one telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers; and a plurality of second ports arranged to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network;
a quantity of the communication ports and the serial numbers identifying the communication ports exceeding a quantity of telephone numbers of the designated finite set.
There may be provided a first port associated with each telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers.
In one arrangement, none of the second ports are directly associated with a telephone number of the finite set of telephone numbers. In the instance of secondary rotary lines for a multi-line system connected to second ports, the secondary rotary lines may be indirectly associated to a telephone number by association of the second ports with one or more of the first ports which have a telephone number associated therewith.
The communication ports are preferably identified by the exchange network by serial number only.
The first ports may comprise existing ports of an existing exchange network in which the second ports comprise external ports added on to the existing exchange network to increase a capacity of the existing exchange network.
In some instances, only a portion of the first ports are associated with a telephone number. In a Centrex system for example, the first ports having telephones connected thereto could be designated by a serial number only with telephone numbers being previously associated therewith being assigned to other ports.
The second ports may be arranged to be connected to various devices which are not required to be directly dialled to. These include telephone lines of pay phones, extension lines in the form of secondary rotary lines of a multi-telephone line system, telemarketing lines, direct dial lines which are arranged to dial a single number directly, alarm equipment, dedicated modems, wireless devices arranged to dial out from the devices to the exchange network only and telephone answering service inbound circuits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a schematic of a telephone system which has been modified to expand its capacity.
Figure 2 is a schematic of a cell phone system which has been modified to expand its capacity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
1.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING TELEPHONE NUMBER RESOURCES
The following are identified as resources for number inventory. In most cases as these numbers are neither listed or subject to being phoned the number resources are available for immediate assignment.
7.7 Pay Telephones In most jurisdictions Pay Telephones are an out calling device only.
1.2 Hot Line Devices Devices such as Customer Service Phones and Taxi Call Phones in airports and similar locations are an out calling device only.
9.3 Out-calling only Lines, Telemarketing Certain operations employ lines that are out-call only. These include telemarketing applications where incoming calls to the associated number cannot be made. In most of these applications dialling is accomplished by the use of computers and the operator has no control of the number dialled.
7.4 Out-calling only Lines, Wireless Device Calls made from wireless devices interface with out-calling terminal equipment and have an associated number with each line.
1.5 Secondary Rotary Lines on Multi-line Systems Most business telephone systems employ a single dial in number and additional roll over lines to provide capacity for multiple calls. Calls placed to the published number may terminate on other associated numbers if the primary number is unavailable.
1.6 Toll Free Numbers not terminating on existing numbers Certain situations exist where incoming Toll Free numbers are assigned exclusive position on a business telephone system and are assigned an associated number. This circuit is usually configured to prevent out-calling.
1.7 Telephone Answering Service inbound circuits Situations exist where Subscribers using Call Forward No Answer type service terminate on an associated number. These numbers are used exclusively to answer calls from a single subscriber.
1.8 Centrex circuits Centrex is intended to provide a level of service equivalent to Private Branch Exchange (PBX) without the associated equipment and also allowing for direct access to an extension from outside the exchange. This represents a significant number resource. A majority of calls placed on this type of system are extension to extension or processed to an extension from a central operator.
2.0 METHODS OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL NUMBERS
As a general procedure, the Telephone Exchange Switch equipment shall have the software modified to allow the addition of additional port equipment in excess of present design limitations. The switch shall be modified as required in order to accommodate the existing group of telephone numbers plus port access for circuits being reassigned from Associated Numbers to Port Identity Circuit.
Alternatively additional Telephone Exchange Switches may be employed to serve as a host for equipment not requiring associated telephone numbers. The circuits shall be identified by their port access identity or a Circuit Number rather than an associated telephone number.
Special considerations are made for the following circuit types:
2.1 Pay Telephones For public fault reporting the device shall be assigned a phantom identity. An alphanumeric identity on the physical device could be a designation such as PAY-123456 and would be cross-referenced by Telco administration to determine the circuit number. The Telco software shall supply 911 services with a location without the necessity of an associated number.
2.2 Hot Line Devices As these devices are capable of dialling only a single number there is no public fault reporting or 911 consideration.
2.3 Out-calling only Lines, Telemarketing, Alarm Equipment, dedicated Modems As the user controls these devices there is no public fault reporting or 911 consideration. Caller Identification shall be a number designated by the Subscriber.
2.4 Out-calling only Lines, Wireless Device As the user controls these devices there is no public fault reporting.
The Wireless Provider shall supply Caller Identii:lcation, 911 information and calling location and the switch shall provide a transparent route for such data.
2.5 Secondary Rotary Lines on Multi-line Sysfems For purposes of end user maintenance port numbers or an assigned circuit number shall identify all circuits except the primary number. Out going calls - $ -placed on these circuits shall bear the identity of the primary number, 911 calls shall be identified by the primary line data.
2.6 Toll Free Numbers not terminating on existing numbers For purposes of maintenance the Toll Free Number shall identify the circuit. If the line is not capable of dialling there is no 911 or Caller ID
consideration.
2.7 Telephone Answering Service inbound circuits The Telco shall provide a unique Dial In Direct (DID) or equivalent identification number where Call Forwarding No Answer is terminated on a circuit number rather than an associated telephone number. The Telco software shall ensure that these circuits are integrated in the existing DID or equivalent circuits supplied to the Answering Service. If the circuit is two-way capable the Caller ID
and 911 identity shall be that of a predetermined associated number at the Answering Service.
2.8 Centrex circuits Centrex service software shall be modified in the following fashion:
The Central Office switch software shall be modified to allow a caller to dial the Centrex Primary Number plus a multi-digit number that designates the extension circuit required. Depending upon switch capabilities there shall be the capability of inserting a Star key (*) or Pound key (#) between the Primary Number and the desired extension number.
Alternatively the Telco may allow a Voice Prompt Device to allow the caller to select the required extension, contact the operator or without further action be transferred to the operator.
If the Centrex Primary Number is dialled without extension information then the call shall be routed to the location of the Primary Number.
Centrex features for call management shall not be hindered.
_g_ Intra-extension dialling shall be accomplished by dialling the required extension number as assigned by the Service provider.
Outgoing calls shall be placed by dialling an assigned access digit followed by the number to be called.
Caller Identification shall display the extension number within the name data portion of the Caller Identification Data. The number displayed shall be the primary Centrex Number.
911 calls shall display the address of the extension as well as the Primary Centrex Number and extension information. 911 call back should be capable of automatically dialling the number plus extension as described above.
Turning now to the figures, two examples of telephone systems which have been modified so as to increase the capacity thereof are shown.
Referring to Figure 1 initially a telephone system generally indicated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The system includes an existing exchange network 12 having a plurality of existing first communication ports 14 therein. The exchange network 12 is arranged to direct calls between a finite set of phone numbers, for example 10,000 numbers as illustrated between 0000 and 9999 when four digits are used. A first port 14 is provided for each designated phone number within the finite set which is arranged to communicate with the other ports. In addition to being associated with a phone number, each first port 14 includes an associated serial number as well.
Telephone number listing software 16 is provided for directing telephone calls between the first ports 14 of the network 12. The software 16 is also arranged to direct calls between a plurality of auxiliary second communication ports 18 which are part of an overflow cabinet 20 and the first ports 14. The second communication ports 18 are similarly designated by a serial number.
The software 16 is arranged to identify the ports by serial number only.
More ports having serial numbers are provided than the finite number of phone numbers within the four digit set of the exchange network 12 for expanding the capacity of a conventional exchange network 12.
All of the first ports having phone numbers associated therewith are arranged to both receive incoming calls from the network as well as deliver outgoing calls to the network. The second communication ports may also be arranged to both receive and deliver calls, however in some applications the second ports may be arranged to only deliver outgoing calls when the ports are not associated with any phone numbers. No second port 18 is associated with a unique phone number itself but only by association with a given first port. For instance the secondary rotary lines on a multi-line system may receive and deliver calls while being connected to a second port 18 while being associated with a first port 14 which is designated by a phone number, but it would not itself have a unique phone number associated directly therewith.
In an alternate arrangement, the secondary rotary lines on a multi-line system are included as additional first ports, but again would not include a unique phone number but rather only an association to another first port which is dedicated to the primary phone number of the multi-line system.
In this arrangement, the second ports 18 which are designated only by serial number are useful for connection to the telephone lines of pay phones, extension lines in the farm of secondary rotary lines on a multi telephone line system, telemarketing lines, direct dial lines which are arranged to dial a single number directly, alarm equipment, dedicated modems, outgoing telephone lines of wireless devices arranged to dial out from the device to the exchange network only and telephone answering service inbound circuits.
In order to expand the capacity of an exchange network 12 of a telephone system 10 in which the network has a plurality of existing ports 14 designated by a finite set of telephone numbers, an overflow cabinet may be provided which is connected to the network by suitable software 16 so that auxiliary ports 18 of the cabinet 20 are arranged to communicate with the existing ports 14 of the network. All of the ports may then be identified by serial number only so that the total number of serial numbers and ports exceeds the number of phone numbers within the finite four digit set provided here as an example.
Communicating devices, for example pay phones and wireless devices which are only required to dial out, may then be disconnected so as not to unnecessarily occupy ports dedicated to specific phone numbers within the finite set.
The communicating devices can then be reconnected to the auxiliary ports, identified by serial number only, so that additional telephone lines having dedicated phone numbers may be free for additional telephone devices which require inbound calls.
Referring now to Figure 2, an example of a cell phone system 30 is illustrated. The system includes an exchange network 32 which operates a set of phones associated with a finite set of phone numbers. In the example illustrated, a finite set of 1000 numbers is illustrated from 0000 to 0999. Each of the 1000 phone numbers is reserved for dialling to the corresponding cell phone dedicated thereto using a series of first ports 34 which are connected to a transmitter tower 36 having a suitable number of transmitters for communicating with the phones.
When dialling from the phone out to the network and another telephone device, a receiver tower 38 is provided having a suitable number of receivers for communicating with the finite set of phones. The signal is then passed through the exchange network 32 to be directed to a selected second port 40 which is designated for outgoing calls. The second ports 40 are identified by serial number only as they are only used for outgoing calls.
In a conventional exchange network for a cell phone system, these outgoing call lines would typically require occupying an additional set of phone numbers over and above the finite set dedicated for the number of cell phones of the system. This is indicated in Figure 2 by previous phone numbers 1000 through to 1199. In this example reconnecting the second ports 40 to lines being identified by serial numbers only, which are arranged to only direct outgoing calls so as not to occupy a dedicated phone number, occupies approximately 200 fewer telephone numbers. The capacity of the cell phone system is thus expanded by using auxiliary second ports 40 which are designated by serial number only and are arranged exclusively for outgoing calls.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
Secondly, the three digit local code (nnx) may be changed to four digits. This would allow a tenfold increase in additional exchanges within a Single Area Code, however the impact on directories, publications and signage will be significant. The telephone company would also be required to reverse the installation of multiple area codes within a jurisdiction with the resulting confusion.
Thirdly, the four digit local code (nnx) may be changed to five digits.
This would allow a single exchange code to cover a ten-fold larger capacity without resorting to multiple area codes within a jurisdiction, however the impact on directories, publications and signage will again be significant. The telephone company would also be required to reverse the installation of multiple area codes within a jurisdiction with the resulting confusion.
Any one of the above methods will be both disruptive and expensive to global communications.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of expanding capacity of an exchange network of a telephone system, the exchange network having a plurality of existing communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each existing communication port being associated with a telephone number of a finite set of telephone numbers, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of auxiliary communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with the existing communication ports;
identifying each of the auxiliary communication ports by a serial number only so as not to be directly associated with any telephone numbers of the finite set of telephone numbers;
disconnecting communicating devices connected to the existing communication ports which are not required to be arranged to directly receive incoming telephone calls; and reconnecting said communicating devices to the respective auxiliary communication ports.
The method permits expanding of a Telephone Central Office Switch past the conventional limitation of 10,000 (ten-thousand) individual telephone numbers per exchange block. The Protocol will make sufficient resources available to allow manufacturers and telephone companies sufficient time to develop alternatives.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a telephone system comprising:
an exchange network for a designated finite set of telephone numbers, the exchange network having a plurality of communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each port being identified by a respective serial number;
the communication ports including:
a plurality of first ports arranged to receive incoming telephone calls from the exchange network and to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network, each first port being associated with one telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers; and a plurality of second ports arranged to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network;
a quantity of the communication ports and the serial numbers identifying the communication ports exceeding a quantity of telephone numbers of the designated finite set.
There may be provided a first port associated with each telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers.
In one arrangement, none of the second ports are directly associated with a telephone number of the finite set of telephone numbers. In the instance of secondary rotary lines for a multi-line system connected to second ports, the secondary rotary lines may be indirectly associated to a telephone number by association of the second ports with one or more of the first ports which have a telephone number associated therewith.
The communication ports are preferably identified by the exchange network by serial number only.
The first ports may comprise existing ports of an existing exchange network in which the second ports comprise external ports added on to the existing exchange network to increase a capacity of the existing exchange network.
In some instances, only a portion of the first ports are associated with a telephone number. In a Centrex system for example, the first ports having telephones connected thereto could be designated by a serial number only with telephone numbers being previously associated therewith being assigned to other ports.
The second ports may be arranged to be connected to various devices which are not required to be directly dialled to. These include telephone lines of pay phones, extension lines in the form of secondary rotary lines of a multi-telephone line system, telemarketing lines, direct dial lines which are arranged to dial a single number directly, alarm equipment, dedicated modems, wireless devices arranged to dial out from the devices to the exchange network only and telephone answering service inbound circuits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a schematic of a telephone system which has been modified to expand its capacity.
Figure 2 is a schematic of a cell phone system which has been modified to expand its capacity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
1.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING TELEPHONE NUMBER RESOURCES
The following are identified as resources for number inventory. In most cases as these numbers are neither listed or subject to being phoned the number resources are available for immediate assignment.
7.7 Pay Telephones In most jurisdictions Pay Telephones are an out calling device only.
1.2 Hot Line Devices Devices such as Customer Service Phones and Taxi Call Phones in airports and similar locations are an out calling device only.
9.3 Out-calling only Lines, Telemarketing Certain operations employ lines that are out-call only. These include telemarketing applications where incoming calls to the associated number cannot be made. In most of these applications dialling is accomplished by the use of computers and the operator has no control of the number dialled.
7.4 Out-calling only Lines, Wireless Device Calls made from wireless devices interface with out-calling terminal equipment and have an associated number with each line.
1.5 Secondary Rotary Lines on Multi-line Systems Most business telephone systems employ a single dial in number and additional roll over lines to provide capacity for multiple calls. Calls placed to the published number may terminate on other associated numbers if the primary number is unavailable.
1.6 Toll Free Numbers not terminating on existing numbers Certain situations exist where incoming Toll Free numbers are assigned exclusive position on a business telephone system and are assigned an associated number. This circuit is usually configured to prevent out-calling.
1.7 Telephone Answering Service inbound circuits Situations exist where Subscribers using Call Forward No Answer type service terminate on an associated number. These numbers are used exclusively to answer calls from a single subscriber.
1.8 Centrex circuits Centrex is intended to provide a level of service equivalent to Private Branch Exchange (PBX) without the associated equipment and also allowing for direct access to an extension from outside the exchange. This represents a significant number resource. A majority of calls placed on this type of system are extension to extension or processed to an extension from a central operator.
2.0 METHODS OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL NUMBERS
As a general procedure, the Telephone Exchange Switch equipment shall have the software modified to allow the addition of additional port equipment in excess of present design limitations. The switch shall be modified as required in order to accommodate the existing group of telephone numbers plus port access for circuits being reassigned from Associated Numbers to Port Identity Circuit.
Alternatively additional Telephone Exchange Switches may be employed to serve as a host for equipment not requiring associated telephone numbers. The circuits shall be identified by their port access identity or a Circuit Number rather than an associated telephone number.
Special considerations are made for the following circuit types:
2.1 Pay Telephones For public fault reporting the device shall be assigned a phantom identity. An alphanumeric identity on the physical device could be a designation such as PAY-123456 and would be cross-referenced by Telco administration to determine the circuit number. The Telco software shall supply 911 services with a location without the necessity of an associated number.
2.2 Hot Line Devices As these devices are capable of dialling only a single number there is no public fault reporting or 911 consideration.
2.3 Out-calling only Lines, Telemarketing, Alarm Equipment, dedicated Modems As the user controls these devices there is no public fault reporting or 911 consideration. Caller Identification shall be a number designated by the Subscriber.
2.4 Out-calling only Lines, Wireless Device As the user controls these devices there is no public fault reporting.
The Wireless Provider shall supply Caller Identii:lcation, 911 information and calling location and the switch shall provide a transparent route for such data.
2.5 Secondary Rotary Lines on Multi-line Sysfems For purposes of end user maintenance port numbers or an assigned circuit number shall identify all circuits except the primary number. Out going calls - $ -placed on these circuits shall bear the identity of the primary number, 911 calls shall be identified by the primary line data.
2.6 Toll Free Numbers not terminating on existing numbers For purposes of maintenance the Toll Free Number shall identify the circuit. If the line is not capable of dialling there is no 911 or Caller ID
consideration.
2.7 Telephone Answering Service inbound circuits The Telco shall provide a unique Dial In Direct (DID) or equivalent identification number where Call Forwarding No Answer is terminated on a circuit number rather than an associated telephone number. The Telco software shall ensure that these circuits are integrated in the existing DID or equivalent circuits supplied to the Answering Service. If the circuit is two-way capable the Caller ID
and 911 identity shall be that of a predetermined associated number at the Answering Service.
2.8 Centrex circuits Centrex service software shall be modified in the following fashion:
The Central Office switch software shall be modified to allow a caller to dial the Centrex Primary Number plus a multi-digit number that designates the extension circuit required. Depending upon switch capabilities there shall be the capability of inserting a Star key (*) or Pound key (#) between the Primary Number and the desired extension number.
Alternatively the Telco may allow a Voice Prompt Device to allow the caller to select the required extension, contact the operator or without further action be transferred to the operator.
If the Centrex Primary Number is dialled without extension information then the call shall be routed to the location of the Primary Number.
Centrex features for call management shall not be hindered.
_g_ Intra-extension dialling shall be accomplished by dialling the required extension number as assigned by the Service provider.
Outgoing calls shall be placed by dialling an assigned access digit followed by the number to be called.
Caller Identification shall display the extension number within the name data portion of the Caller Identification Data. The number displayed shall be the primary Centrex Number.
911 calls shall display the address of the extension as well as the Primary Centrex Number and extension information. 911 call back should be capable of automatically dialling the number plus extension as described above.
Turning now to the figures, two examples of telephone systems which have been modified so as to increase the capacity thereof are shown.
Referring to Figure 1 initially a telephone system generally indicated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The system includes an existing exchange network 12 having a plurality of existing first communication ports 14 therein. The exchange network 12 is arranged to direct calls between a finite set of phone numbers, for example 10,000 numbers as illustrated between 0000 and 9999 when four digits are used. A first port 14 is provided for each designated phone number within the finite set which is arranged to communicate with the other ports. In addition to being associated with a phone number, each first port 14 includes an associated serial number as well.
Telephone number listing software 16 is provided for directing telephone calls between the first ports 14 of the network 12. The software 16 is also arranged to direct calls between a plurality of auxiliary second communication ports 18 which are part of an overflow cabinet 20 and the first ports 14. The second communication ports 18 are similarly designated by a serial number.
The software 16 is arranged to identify the ports by serial number only.
More ports having serial numbers are provided than the finite number of phone numbers within the four digit set of the exchange network 12 for expanding the capacity of a conventional exchange network 12.
All of the first ports having phone numbers associated therewith are arranged to both receive incoming calls from the network as well as deliver outgoing calls to the network. The second communication ports may also be arranged to both receive and deliver calls, however in some applications the second ports may be arranged to only deliver outgoing calls when the ports are not associated with any phone numbers. No second port 18 is associated with a unique phone number itself but only by association with a given first port. For instance the secondary rotary lines on a multi-line system may receive and deliver calls while being connected to a second port 18 while being associated with a first port 14 which is designated by a phone number, but it would not itself have a unique phone number associated directly therewith.
In an alternate arrangement, the secondary rotary lines on a multi-line system are included as additional first ports, but again would not include a unique phone number but rather only an association to another first port which is dedicated to the primary phone number of the multi-line system.
In this arrangement, the second ports 18 which are designated only by serial number are useful for connection to the telephone lines of pay phones, extension lines in the farm of secondary rotary lines on a multi telephone line system, telemarketing lines, direct dial lines which are arranged to dial a single number directly, alarm equipment, dedicated modems, outgoing telephone lines of wireless devices arranged to dial out from the device to the exchange network only and telephone answering service inbound circuits.
In order to expand the capacity of an exchange network 12 of a telephone system 10 in which the network has a plurality of existing ports 14 designated by a finite set of telephone numbers, an overflow cabinet may be provided which is connected to the network by suitable software 16 so that auxiliary ports 18 of the cabinet 20 are arranged to communicate with the existing ports 14 of the network. All of the ports may then be identified by serial number only so that the total number of serial numbers and ports exceeds the number of phone numbers within the finite four digit set provided here as an example.
Communicating devices, for example pay phones and wireless devices which are only required to dial out, may then be disconnected so as not to unnecessarily occupy ports dedicated to specific phone numbers within the finite set.
The communicating devices can then be reconnected to the auxiliary ports, identified by serial number only, so that additional telephone lines having dedicated phone numbers may be free for additional telephone devices which require inbound calls.
Referring now to Figure 2, an example of a cell phone system 30 is illustrated. The system includes an exchange network 32 which operates a set of phones associated with a finite set of phone numbers. In the example illustrated, a finite set of 1000 numbers is illustrated from 0000 to 0999. Each of the 1000 phone numbers is reserved for dialling to the corresponding cell phone dedicated thereto using a series of first ports 34 which are connected to a transmitter tower 36 having a suitable number of transmitters for communicating with the phones.
When dialling from the phone out to the network and another telephone device, a receiver tower 38 is provided having a suitable number of receivers for communicating with the finite set of phones. The signal is then passed through the exchange network 32 to be directed to a selected second port 40 which is designated for outgoing calls. The second ports 40 are identified by serial number only as they are only used for outgoing calls.
In a conventional exchange network for a cell phone system, these outgoing call lines would typically require occupying an additional set of phone numbers over and above the finite set dedicated for the number of cell phones of the system. This is indicated in Figure 2 by previous phone numbers 1000 through to 1199. In this example reconnecting the second ports 40 to lines being identified by serial numbers only, which are arranged to only direct outgoing calls so as not to occupy a dedicated phone number, occupies approximately 200 fewer telephone numbers. The capacity of the cell phone system is thus expanded by using auxiliary second ports 40 which are designated by serial number only and are arranged exclusively for outgoing calls.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A telephone system comprising:
an exchange network for a designated finite set of telephone numbers, the exchange network having a plurality of communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each port being identified by a respective serial number;
the communication ports including:
a plurality of first ports arranged to receive incoming telephone calls from the exchange network and to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network, each first port being associated with one telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers; and a plurality of second ports arranged to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network;
a quantity of the communication ports and the serial numbers identifying the communication ports exceeding a quantity of telephone numbers of the designated finite set.
an exchange network for a designated finite set of telephone numbers, the exchange network having a plurality of communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each port being identified by a respective serial number;
the communication ports including:
a plurality of first ports arranged to receive incoming telephone calls from the exchange network and to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network, each first port being associated with one telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers; and a plurality of second ports arranged to deliver outgoing calls to the exchange network;
a quantity of the communication ports and the serial numbers identifying the communication ports exceeding a quantity of telephone numbers of the designated finite set.
2. The system according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided a first port associated with each telephone number of the designated finite set of telephone numbers.
3. The system according to Claim 1 wherein none of the second ports are associated with a unique telephone number of the finite set of telephone numbers.
4. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the communication ports are identified by the exchange network by serial number only.
5. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the first ports comprise existing ports of an existing exchange network and wherein the second ports comprise external ports added on to the existing exchange network to increase a capacity of the existing exchange network.
6. The system according to Claim 1 wherein only a portion of the first ports are associated with a telephone number.
7. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of pay phones.
8. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of extension lines in the form of secondary rotary lines of a multi-telephone line system.
9. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of telemarketing lines.
10. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of direct dial lines which are arranged to dial a single number directly.
11. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of alarm equipment.
12. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of dedicated modems.
13. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to outgoing telephone lines of wireless devices arranged to dial out from the devices to the exchange network only.
14. The system according to Claim 1 wherein the second ports are arranged to be connected to telephone lines of telephone answering service inbound circuits.
15. A method of expanding capacity of an exchange network of a telephone system, the exchange network having a plurality of existing communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with one another, each existing communication port being associated with a telephone number of a finite set of telephone numbers, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of auxiliary communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with the existing communication ports;
identifying each of the auxiliary communication ports by a serial number only so as not to be directly associated with any telephone numbers of the finite set of telephone numbers;
disconnecting communicating devices connected to the existing communication ports which are not required to be arranged to directly receive incoming telephone calls; and reconnecting said communicating devices to the respective auxiliary communication ports.
providing a plurality of auxiliary communication ports arranged to selectively communicate with the existing communication ports;
identifying each of the auxiliary communication ports by a serial number only so as not to be directly associated with any telephone numbers of the finite set of telephone numbers;
disconnecting communicating devices connected to the existing communication ports which are not required to be arranged to directly receive incoming telephone calls; and reconnecting said communicating devices to the respective auxiliary communication ports.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US32369501P | 2001-09-21 | 2001-09-21 | |
| US60/323,695 | 2001-09-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2404181A1 true CA2404181A1 (en) | 2003-03-21 |
Family
ID=23260332
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2404181 Abandoned CA2404181A1 (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2002-09-19 | System for expanding capacity of a telephone exchange network |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2404181A1 (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-09-19 CA CA 2404181 patent/CA2404181A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |