A method and apparatus for controlling telecommunications call processing is
disclosed.
In a switching system, a Master Controller is provided for maintaining the database
of the system, and for receiving call processing control messages. The Master Controller
receives these messages via a core switching fabric network of the switching system.
The Master Controller selects one of a plurality of feature processors, the feature
processors being of several types for processing different features, to process
the received call processing message. The Master Controller, if necessary, transmits
not only the call processing message, but also state information about the call
to the selected feature processor. The feature processor processes the message,
and returns call state update data to the Master Controller. The feature processor
also transmits messages for controlling other units in order to implement the desired
response to the received call processing message. Advantageously, the centralized
Master Controller allows a plurality of different types of feature processors to
be used, and maintains a record of which feature processors are performing properly
so that call control messages are only sent to working feature processors. Advantageously,
a single database (duplicated for reliability), is maintained for a plurality of
different types of feature processors.
