At+t Corp.

Peter A D'Amato

James J Mansell

John Sutton Robertson

Joel K Young

Sarah T Fischell

Paul V Flynn

The present invention provides real time call control within a telecommunications network, using a call selection processor separate from the switches carrying the call, which responds to incoming calls and uses information carried in the associated signaling messages to determine what application processor, if any, should be involved on the call. One embodiment of the present invention includes a call selection processor called a signaling director', or 'SD' for short, for recognizing certain signaling messages, typically SS7 initial address messages (IAM's), as the messages flow through the signaling network. Alternatively, particular signaling messages may be recognized in a signaling message processing element within the signaling network, such as the signal transfer point (STP) associated with the switch that receives the telephone calls, and a copy of those particular messages forwarded to the SD.

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Red Bank, NJ, United States of America

Peter A D'Amato