U.S. patent application number 10/017042 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for methods and systems for managing the routing of packets over a hybrid communication network.
Invention is credited to Leuca, Ileana A., Ying, Wen-Ping.
Application Number | 20020041593 10/017042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25541111 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020041593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leuca, Ileana A. ; et
al. |
April 11, 2002 |
Methods and systems for managing the routing of packets over a
hybrid communication network
Abstract
Methods and systems for routing information to a destination
through a plurality of networks, wherein at least one of the
networks is a packet network. The system comprises a routing
processor for receiving a routing query signal, which specifies the
destination to which the information will be routed and a memory
for storing at least one characteristic of the destination. The
processor determines a route for the transmission of the
information based on the routing query and on the characteristics
stored in the memory.
Inventors: |
Leuca, Ileana A.; (Bellevue,
WA) ; Ying, Wen-Ping; (Bellevue, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP/AWS
P.O. BOX 1247
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1247
US
|
Family ID: |
25541111 |
Appl. No.: |
10/017042 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10017042 |
Dec 14, 2001 |
|
|
|
08994831 |
Dec 19, 1997 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/389 ;
370/338; 370/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/5692 20130101;
H04L 12/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/389 ;
370/338; 370/400 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/24; H04L
012/28 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for managing the routing of information from a source
to a destination through a plurality of networks, wherein at least
one of said networks is a packet network, said system comprising: a
routing processor for receiving a routing query signal from said
source, said signal specifying said destination to which said
information will be routed; and a memory for storing at least one
characteristic of said source; said memory storing at least one
characteristic of said destination; wherein said processor
determines a route for the transmission of said information based
on said routing query signal and on said characteristics stored in
said memory.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a characteristic of
said destination includes information relating to the equipment at
said destination.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said source subscribes
to a fixed wireless service network.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said destination
subscribes to the same fixed wireless service network as said
source.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said destination
subscribes to a PSTN service network.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a characteristic of
said destination includes information identifying the service to
which said destination subscribes.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said information
includes digitized voice information.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said signal is a DTMF
signal.
9. A system for routing information to a destination, said system
comprising: a plurality of networks, wherein at least one of said
networks is a packet network and wherein each network is linked to
at least one other network by a communication medium; and a routing
processor for receiving a routing query signal, said routing query
signal, including at least one characteristic of said destination,
said routing processor determining a transmission path for routing
said information through said plurality of networks; wherein said
routing processor determines said transmission path based on said
routing query signal and on said received characteristics.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said destination
subscribes to a fixed wireless service network.
11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said destination
subscribes to a PSTN service network.
12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said characteristics
of said destination identify the type of service to which said
destination subscribes.
13. A method for managing the routing of information to a
destination through a plurality of networks, wherein at least one
of said networks is a packet network, each network being linked to
at least one other network by a communication medium, said method
comprising the steps of: receiving a routing query specifying a
destination to which said information will be routed at a routing
processor; storing at least one characteristic of said destination;
and determining a route for the transmission of said information
based on said routing query and on said stored characteristics.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of storing
characteristics includes the step of storing at least one address
for said destination.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of determining
includes the step of identifying the subscriber service of said
destination.
16. The method for managing the routing of information to a
destination through a plurality of networks, wherein at least one
of the networks is a packet network and wherein each network is
linked to at least one other network by a communication medium,
said method comprising the steps of: receiving a routing query
signal from a source of one of said networks and information
concerning at least one characteristic of said destination; and
determining a transmission path for routing said information
through said networks, said transmission path comprising at least
one network in addition to said packet network, wherein said step
of determining is based on said received routing query signal and
on said received characteristics.
17. A method for managing the routing of information to a
destination through a plurality of networks, wherein at least one
of the networks is a packet network and wherein each network is
linked to at least one other network by a communication medium,
said method comprising the steps of: receiving a routing query
signal including routing requirements from a source; and
determining a transmission path for routing said information
through said networks, wherein said transmission path comprises
network elements of at least one of said networks in addition to
network elements of said packet network.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said step of
determining a transmission path includes the step of identifying
the subscriber service of said destination.
19. A method for managing the routing of information from a
subscriber of a fixed wireless service network to a destination
through a plurality of networks, wherein at least one of said
networks is a packet network and wherein each network is linked to
at least one other network by a communication medium, said method
comprising the steps of: receiving a routing query signal from said
subscriber of said fixed wireless service network; storing
information concerning at least one characteristic of said
destination at a routing processor; determining a transmission path
for routing said information through said networks, said
transmission path comprising elements of at least one of said
networks in addition to elements of said packet network, wherein
said step of determining said transmission path is based on said
routing query and said stored characteristics; sending a routing
response signal from said routing processor to said subscriber; and
routing said information over said path.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
managing the routing of packets over a hybrid communication
network, operating both in circuit switched and packet switched
modes, and, more particularly, to the methods and systems for
managing the routing of packets through the hybrid network based on
the destination telephone number.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditional telephone service providers have been planning
the transition to packet switched networks. In planning this
transition, consideration must be given to providing POTS users,
who only have analog equipment, access to such networks. Such a
transition should also facilitate communication between fixed
wireless subscribers and POTs subscribers. Additionally,
consideration must be given to providing local subscribers with
direct access to their packet network.
[0003] Therefore, there remains a need to provide POTs and wireless
service subscribers with improved direct access to packet networks,
and particularly, a need for improving communication between such
subscribers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention overcomes the above, and other,
limitations by providing communication methods and systems for
routing packets, such as digitized voice, from a fixed wireless
service subscriber to a destination over a hybrid network,
operating in both circuit switched and packet switched modes.
[0005] In one aspect, the invention features a system for managing
the routing of information from a source to a destination through a
plurality of networks, wherein at least one of the networks is a
packet network. The system comprises a routing processor for
receiving a routing query signal from the source. The signal
specifying the destination to which the information will be routed.
The system also comprises a memory for storing at least one
characteristic of the source and at least one characteristic of the
destination. The processor of the system determines a route for the
transmission of the information based on the routing query signal
and on the characteristics stored in the memory.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention features a method for
managing the routing of information to a destination through a
plurality of networks, wherein at least one of the networks is a
packet network and each network is linked to at least one other
network by a communication medium. The method comprises the steps
of:
[0007] 1) receiving a routing query signal specifying a destination
to which the information will be routed;
[0008] 2) storing at least one characteristic of the destination;
and
[0009] 3) determining a route for the transmission of the
information based on the routing query and on the stored
characteristics.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention features a method for
managing the routing information from a subscriber of a fixed
wireless service network to a destination through a plurality of
networks, wherein at least one of said networks is a packet network
and wherein each network is linked to at least one other network by
a communication medium. The method comprises the steps of:
[0011] 1) receiving a routing query signal from the subscriber of
the fixed wireless service network;
[0012] 2) storing information concerning at least one
characteristic of the destination at a routing processor;
[0013] 3) determining a transmission path for routing the
information through the networks, the transmission path comprising
elements of at least one of the networks in addition to elements of
the packet network, wherein the step of determining the
transmission path is based on the routing query signal and the
stored characteristics;
[0014] 4) sending a routing response signal from the routing
processor to the subscriber; and
[0015] 5) routing the information over the path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for managing
the routing of packets over a hybrid communication network in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
base station of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
remote unit of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a method for setting
up a call using the system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a functional subscriber block diagram of a method
for determining a routing path to a PSTN subscriber destination and
forwarding a call to said destination through such a path using the
system of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a method for
determining a routing path to a fixed wireless subscriber
destination and forwarding a call to said destination through such
a path using the system of FIG. 1;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention relates to routing packets of, for
example, digitized voice, from a subscriber of fixed wireless
services to a subscriber at a destination through a hybrid network.
The subscriber at the destination being either a subscriber of
fixed wireless services or POTS services.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a simplified hybrid communication network 10
suitable for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. It will be recognized that the network of FIG. 1
includes other known elements, but those elements have been omitted
for simplicity.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, network 10 comprises at least one
calling party location, such as location 30, at least one
information transfer network, such as fixed wireless network 10a,
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 10b or data network 10c
(i.e. ATM based backbone) and at least one destination party
location, such as locations 20 and 40. Destination location 20,
subscribes to PSTN 10b and destination location 40 subscribes to
network 10a.
[0025] A wired information transfer network, such as PSTN 10b,
generally comprises a plurality of conventional switches (not
shown) that are interconnected to enable wired device 20 to
communicate with other devices within or outside PSTN 10b via LEC
50. The wired device may be a conventional telephone 20, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, or any other communication device (not
shown) connected to PSTN 10b by various communications links 23a
(e.g., analog, ISDN, etc). For example, wired device 20 could
include facsimile devices, personal computers, modems, etc.
[0026] Data network 10c includes a packet switched network,
comprising, preferably, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
subnetwork using protocols such as TCP/IP, X.25, ATM, etc. A data
network such as network 10c, generally comprises a plurality of
packet routers for transmitting packets of data. The packets
include address headers, error correction bits, synchronization
bits and the like. It is understood that the present invention may
be applied to any type of data packet subnetwork using the
structures and methods described herein and is not limited to ATM
subnetworks.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified block
diagram of a wireless communication network 10a forming part of a
hybrid network 10, its logical entities as well as its relative
connection to PSTN 10b and data network 10c. In the following
description, the wireless communication network 10a is described in
the context of a fixed wireless subscriber's telephone, such as
device 30. It will, however, be understood that the methods and
systems of the present invention can be applied to other wired or
wireless modem communication systems such as laptop computers and
fax devices.
[0028] Wireless communication network 10a, as illustrated in FIG.
1, comprises a fixed wireless subscriber's telephone, such as
devices 30 and 40, remote units (RUs) 80 and 120, and base stations
(BSs) 70 and 110. Typically, remote units 80 and 120 and base
stations 70 and 110 each include a microprocessor (not shown) to
control operations thereof.
[0029] Base stations 70 and 110 and remote units 80 and 120 each
have a transceiver. Such transceivers include any
modulation/demodulation, filtering, and other signal processing
circuitry required for communicating in accordance with protocol
and modulation techniques supported by the wireless systems.
[0030] Further, remote unit 80 is connected to device 30 by
communication path 23a and base station 70 is connected to remote
unit 80 by airlink channel 23b. Similarly, remote unit 120 is
connected to device 40 by a communication path 23a and base station
110 is connected to remote unit 120 by airlink channel 23b.
Communication path 23a may be any number of wire-line transport
services such as analog, ISDN, Ti or El line, or any of a number of
other wireless alternative links. Airlink channel 23b may be any
wireless highway of fixed bandwidth that is used to transfer data
between remote units 80 and 120 and base stations 70 and 110,
respectively, at fixed speeds. Devices 30 and 40, remote units 80
and 120, and base stations 70 and 110 use airlink channel 23b and
communication path 23a to set up the call and to forward the voice
or data to the destination device; the destination device being
either a wireless device 40 or wired telephone 20. Throughout the
communication process, it is base station 70 that provides overall
control and thereby ensures that the operation of the whole
wireless system is supported and serviced.
[0031] In operation, base stations 70 and 110 couple devices 30 and
40 to (PSTN) 10b or data network 10c. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
such coupling occurs through communication paths 23a, access nodes
90 and 100, Gateway 130 and switching units 60 and 140. As
indicated above, communication paths 23a may be any number of
wire-line transport services such as analog, ISDN, T1 or E1 line,
or any one of a number of other wireless alternative links. Access
nodes 90 and 100 perform all the switching functions related to
call delivery through data network 10c. Nodes 90 and 100 are
connected to data network 10c, Gateway 130, and base stations 70
and 110. Switches 60 and 140 perform all the switching functions
related to call delivery through PSTN 10b. Switch 60 is connected
between PSTN 10b and base station 70 and switch 140 is connected
between PSTN 10b and base station 110. Switch 140 is also connected
between PSTN 10b and Gateway 130. As is known in the art, switching
units 60 and 140 typically consist of class 4/5 programmable
digital switch with CCIS communications capabilities. Switching
units 60 and 140, can be for example, a 5ESS switch manufactured by
AT&T or any comparable digital switch made by other vendors,
such as Northern TeleCom and Seimans.
[0032] Gateway 130 includes a database and process unit (not
shown). The database in Gateway 130 maintains an inventory profile
of routings to fixed wireless network 10a and PSTN 10b, all
switching units (e.g., switching units 60 and 140) and all access
nodes (e.g., access nodes 90 and 100). The database is used by
Gateway 130 to determine a routing path to a fixed wireless
subscriber, such as device 30, when a call is originated from an
analog telephone (POTS) user, such as telephone 20 to device 30.
Gateway 130 also uses the database to determine a routing path from
an access node, such as node 90, to a PSTN 10b subscriber, such as
telephone 20, when a call is originated from a fixed wireless
subscriber telephone, such as device 30, to an analog telephone
(POTS) user telephone, such as telephone 20.
[0033] Database may include storage devices such as random access
memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM) and/or programmable read only
memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),
an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),
a magnetic storage media (i.e., magnetic disks), or an optical
storage media (i.e., CD-ROM), and such memory devices may also be
incorporated into a processing unit. Processing unit (not shown)
includes software and hardware used by Gateway 130 to perform
internetworking functions, such as packetization and
depacketization, between a fixed wireless subscriber, such as
device 30, and a POTS user, such as telephone 20.
[0034] Shown in FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of a base
station FIG. 1 in accordance with the invention. Design and
operation of such base stations are well known to ordinarily
skilled artisans, and the ensuing description sets forth merely by
way of example certain functional blocks and their interconnection
as may be embodied in a base station which may be used in
accordance with the present invention.
[0035] The following discussion will focus on base station 70,
although base station 110 contains a similar database. Base station
70 includes a database 24 and processing unit 25. The database 24
in base station 70 maintains an inventory profile record of all
subscribers to the wireless service, identification numbers
associated with other types of calls (e.g., calls to subscribers of
PSTN 10b) and call routing information for all base stations in
wireless service network 10a. Database 24 may include storage
devices such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM)
and/or programmable read only memory (PROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electronically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic storage media
(i.e., magnetic disks), or an optical storage media (i.e., CD-ROM),
and such memory devices may also be incorporated into processing
unit 25.
[0036] Processing unit 25 in base station 70 includes software used
by base station 70 to perform the communications processing and
control functions between base station 70 and fixed wireless
subscriber devices, such as device 30, as well as all other control
functions that are required for managing a call from such a device
to a destination. For example, preferably, the software is used to
determine a routing path based on the called party identification
number (i.e. fixed wireless subscriber telephone or PSTN subscriber
telephone).
[0037] Shown in FIG. 3 is a high-level block diagram of remote
units 80 and 120 in accordance with the invention. Design and
operation of such remote units are well known to ordinarily skilled
artisans, and the ensuing description sets forth merely by way of
example certain functional blocks and their interconnection as may
be embodied in a remote unit which may be used in accordance with
the present invention.
[0038] For simplicity, remote unit 80 will be described. It is
understood, however, that remote unit 120 is similar to remote unit
80. Although remote units 80 may communicate with base station 70
according to known analog communication techniques, preferably
remote unit 80 employs digital communication techniques. Remote
unit 80 comprises a network interface 26, an adaptor 27 used for
DTMF digit collection, DTMF decoder/generator 28 and a speech
coding module 33. Remote units 80 also includes a D/A converter 29
to perform conversion of digitally sampled speech signals to analog
speech signals and an A/D converter 30 to perform conversion of
analog speech signals to digitally sampled speech signals. Further,
remote unit 80 contains a central processing unit 31 and memory
unit 32.
[0039] The overall function of remote unit 80 is controlled by
central processing unit 31. Central processing unit 31 operates
under control of executed computer program instructions which are
stored in memory unit 32. Memory unit 32 may be any type of machine
readable storage device. For example, memory unit 32 may be a
random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM) and/or a
programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), an electronically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic storage media (i.e., magnetic
disks), or an optical storage media (i.e., CD-ROM). Further, remote
unit 80 may contain various combinations of machine readable
storage devices which are accessible by central process unit 31 and
which are capable of storing a combination of computer programs,
instructions and data.
[0040] The telephone network interface module 26 handles the
interaction between remote unit 80 and fixed wireless subscriber's
telephone, such as device 30. Interface module 26 also handles the
interaction between remote unit 80 and base stations, such as base
station 70.
[0041] DTMF decoder/operator 28 converts DTMF tones into digital
data. Speech coding module 33 performs compression and
decompression of speech signals connecting at, for example, fixed
wireless subscriber's telephone, such as device 30, and received
over communication path 23a. Such speech signals are processed and
converted into digital data by speech coding module 33. Preferred
low-rate digital voice coding (less than 16 Kbps) is used. The
functionality of module 33 may be implemented in hardware, software
or a combination of hardware and software, using well-known signal
processing techniques.
[0042] Remote unit 80 also perform functions such as switch-hook
operations, hybrid, ring detect, line termination, on/off hook
signal interface signals and the like.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an operational
flow chart of how an embodiment of the present invention proceeds
to set up a call in accordance with the system represented by FIG.
1. Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow diagram for a
process executed by base station 70 in response to a call set up
query placed by fixed wireless subscriber device 30 via remote unit
80. Specifically, when a call is placed by device 30, an off-hook
signal is sent through communications path 23a to the transceiver
of remote unit 80 (step 400). Remote unit 80 then sends a dial tone
to device 30 indicating that it is ready to receive the called
party's telephone number (step 401). Device 30 then sends DTMF
signals to the transceiver of remote unit 80 via path 23a (step
402). The DTMF signals represent the call set up query and include
the identification number corresponding to the destination. Remote
unit 80 then sends a hold transmission message to device 30 (step
403) and remote unit 80 forwards the call set up query to the
transceiver of base station 70 via airlink channel 23b (step
404).
[0044] Base station 70 performs a database 24 look-up to identify
the calling subscriber (step 405). Once the base station 70
processes the calling party features, it may perform any calling
party based treatment (e.g., call blocking, reverse billing, etc.).
Base station 70 then identifies the destination identification
number, held in packet payload, and determines the subscriber
service associated with the destination identification number (step
405).
[0045] Specifically, base station 70 looks in database 24 to
determine whether the destination identification number corresponds
to a wireless subscriber, such as device 40, or a PSTN subscriber,
such as device 20 (step 406). Once base station 70 identifies the
destination, base station 70 determines a routing path from device
30 to the destination based on base station's 70 knowledge of the
network topology (step 407).
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 5, an operational flow diagram is
illustrated for the process executed by base station 70 in
determining a routing path (step 407) based on a fixed wireless
subscriber originated call (e.g., originating from device 30 of
FIG. 1) placed to the destination number of a PSTN 10b subscriber
(e.g. wired telephone 20 of FIG. 1).
[0047] Base station 70 sends a routing query signal to Gateway 130
through access node 90, data network 10c and access node 100,
respectively (step 408). Gateway 130 checks its database and
determines a routing path from access node 100 to PSTN 10b
subscriber device 20 through switching unit 140 and LEC 50,
respectively. Gateway 130 then sends the routing path information
to base station 70 through access node 100, data network 10c and
access node 90, respectively (step 409). Base station 70 then
reserves the routing path by sending a reservation signal to
Gateway 130 and Gateway 130 reserves the elements on the routing
path (step 410). Once the network elements are reserved a
reservation acknowledgement signal is sent from Gateway 130 to base
station 70, via access node 100, data network 10c and access node
90, respectively (step 411). Base station 70 then sends a routing
path signal to device 30 via remote unit 80 (step 412).
[0048] The routing path signal includes a signal informing remote
unit 80 to turn transmission on and start transmitting the
information. Device 30 sends voice information to remote unit 80,
via communication path 23b (step 413), and remote unit 80, then
digitizes and compresses such information (step 414). Remote unit
80 then forwards this digitized information to base station 70, via
airlink channel 23b (step 415) and base station 70 packetizes the
information and forwards it to Gateway 130 through access node 90,
data network 10c and access node 100, respectively (step 416).
Gateway 130 depacketizes such voice information and forwards it to
device 20, through switching unit 140 and LEC 50, respectively
(step 417).
[0049] An alternative method for routing a call to a PSTN 10b
subscriber device 20 is through the standard circuit switched
network without packetization. Specifically, a call is forwarded
from base station 70 to device 20 through switching unit 60, PSTN
10b and LEC 50, respectively.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, an operational flow diagram is
illustrated for the process executed by base station 70 in
determining a routing path (step 407) based on a fixed wireless
subscriber originated call (e.g., originating from device 30 of
FIG. 1) placed to the destination number of another fixed wireless
subscriber (e.g., device 40 of FIG. 1). Base station 70 performs
database 24 look-up and determines a routing path to destination
device 40 (step 418). Base station 70 then reserves the path by
sending reservation signals to base station 110 through access node
90, data network 10c, and access node 100, respectively (step 419).
Base station 110 reserves the network elements on routing path
(step 420). Once the network elements on the path are reserved,
base station 110 sends acknowledgement signals to base station 70,
via access node 100, data network 10c, access node 90, respectively
(step 421). Base station 70 then sends a routing path signal to
device 30 via remote unit 80, respectively (step 422).
[0051] The routing path signal includes a signal informing remote
unit 80 to signal device 30 to turn transmission on and start
transmitting the information. Device 30 then sends voice
information to remote unit 80, via communication path 23b (step
423), and remote unit 80, then digitizes and compresses such
information (step 424). Remote unit 80 then forwards this digitized
information to base station 70, via airlink channel 23b (step 425),
and base station 70 packetizes the information and forwards it to
wired device 40 through access node 90, data network 10c, access
node 100 and base station 110, respectively (step 426). Base
station 110 depacketizes such voice information and forwards it to
device 40 via remote unit 120 (step 430).
[0052] Although the above description provides many specificities,
these enabling details should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention, and it will be readily understood by those
persons skilled in the art that the present invention is
susceptible to many modifications, adaptations, and equivalent
implementations without departing from this scope and without
diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that
the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments
but should be defined in accordance with the claims which
follow.
* * * * *