Importance

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Abstract

Computer program products, related methods, and a protocol for interworking services between a public telephone network, including an Intelligent Network, and an internet protocol network are provided. A public telephone network transports a TCAP message in an SS7 protocol format, and an internet protocol network, or IP network, transports an encapsulated TCAP message in an IP protocol format. A STIPP (Simple TCAP-IP Interworking Protocol) protocol, represented as a computer data signal including a plurality of bits, is used for exchanging TCAP messages between IP network entities. The computer data signal comprises an internet protocol portion, a transport portion, and a STIP (Simple TCAP Interworking Part) portion. The STIP portion includes a STIP header for encapsulating the TCAP message therein for transmission between IP network entities. Various computer data signal embodiments are provided. A computer program product for an interworking gateway exchanging TCAP messages with a public telephone network and encapsulated TCAP messages with an internet protocol network is provided. Further, a computer program product for an IP network entity exchanging encapsulated TCAP messages with an internet protocol network is provided. Message encapsulation, extraction, and decapsulation are provided. Various embodiments and functions are included for each computer program product. A method for exchanging TCAP messages between a public telephone network and an internet protocol network for services interworking is included. Further, a method for exchanging encapsulated TCAP messages with an internet protocol network, such that TCAP messages can ultimately be exchanged with a public telephone network through an internet protocol network is provided.

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First Claim