Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A test harness tests an element management system (EMS) via a network management system (NMS) interface for compliance with a particular interface standard. The test harness may be used by a party other than a vendor of the EMS to verify compliance of the EMS to the particular interface standard, such as Q.834.4.

Abstract: A method for integrating a resource in a network includes receiving at a first adapter a command associated with a function to be performed by a resource. The method also includes receiving a first script associated with the command, and interpreting the first script to produce one or more first byte codes. The method further includes causing a second adapter to receive a second script. The second adapter is operable to interpret the second script into one or more second byte codes. In addition, the method includes executing the one or more first byte codes, and invoking execution of the one or more second byte codes at the second adapter. The execution of the byte codes at the first and second adapters is operable to invoke the function in and facilitate communication with the resource.

Abstract: The present method and kit provide for effective and efficient patching of fiber optic cables. The kit comprises mechanical fiber optic splicers, a fiber optic patch, a splice housing, and a protective housing. The mechanical fiber optic splicers can be used to splice the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic patch. The mechanical fiber optic splicers, the fiber optic patch, and a portion of the fiber optic cable can be enclosed within the splice housing. The splice housing can then be enclosed within a protective housing.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a design for a call center system. A particular system is put into use and data collected to quantify various quality of service factors. Each quality of service factor is multiplied times an expense multiplier and added to an agent cost factor. The result is a metric that describes the system in monetary terms.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol converter. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol converter to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.

Abstract: A modified adaptive minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver detects a spread spectrum signal, minimizing interference among multiple users. The receiver receives multiple pilot bits and corresponding data bits. A channel is estimated using at least one of the received pilot bits and, simultaneously, the data bits are detected based on the pilot bit and an inverse of a gain of the receiver. The spectrum signal may be spread in accordance with a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) format, in which the pilot bits are modified to include a predetermined bit sequence of alternating ones and negative ones.

Abstract: Transmitting network metrics data from disparate client platforms to a service provider for the calculation of performance measurements so that the level of service may be verified. The metrics data is received by the service provider in formats associated with the subscriber's platform. When the metrics data is received by the service provider, it is converted into a host format so that it may be presented to the network subscribers.

Abstract: A telecommunications service controls and monitors telephone calls by storing at a service control point (SCP) restricted telephone numbers and priority telephone numbers. Upon receiving call data relating to a call between a subscriber telephone number and an outside telephone number, the SCP determines whether the outside telephone number matches the restricted or priority telephone numbers. When the outside telephone number matches a restricted telephone number, the call is terminated and the SCP stores the call data. When the outside telephone number does not match a restricted telephone number, or matches a priority telephone number, the call is connected. The SCP transmits stored call data to a service management system, which is accessible by the subscriber via the Internet or an interactive voice response, for generating reports. The service further includes time schedules for implementing call restrictions and personal identification number for bypassing call restrictions.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) are provided permitting cookie files to be used with telephonic customer premises equipment (CPE) (12). The caller CPE (12) can be an intelligent telephone adapted to generate, store, transmit and receive cookie files. The cookie files can include information tokens describing a caller profile. The CPE (12) can provide a template cookie file upon request from a called party during a conversation between the caller and called party. The template file can then be transmitted to the called party and modified. The modified cookie file can then be returned to the caller CPE (12) for future use during subsequent calls to the called party. The cookie file can reduce the processing time of calls placed to automated dial-up service centers and also reduces its computer resources required by the service system.

Abstract: A method and system for automating the disambiguation of search results includes one or more database including a plurality of records, a search engine, and a disambiguation engine. The search engine allows for the searching of one or more of the databases for one or more search terms provided by a caller. The disambiguation engine differentiates between one or more returned records located by the search engine where the returned records satisfy the search terms. Furthermore, the disambiguation engine disambiguates the returned records based on the number of the returned records. The disambiguation engine disambiguates the returned records by providing a direct choice if the number of returned records is below a low threshold, providing a pick list if the number of returned records is between the low threshold and a high threshold, and requesting additional information if the number of returned records is above the high threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and implementing telecommunications services are disclosed. The system comprises a service development platform that includes a communications module, and application server, and at least one auxiliary module. The communications module enables data to be transmitted to and from the development platform to facilitate the implementation of telecommunications services. The application server can store a telecommunications service creation tool that can be used by an individual to generate code needed to implement the telecommunications service or that can automatically generate code needed to implement the telecommunications service. The application server can also store the code needed to implement the telecommunications service and can transmit data to and receive data from the communications module as necessary for implementing the telecommunications service.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting message to a customer when the customer is busy on a previous call and receives a current call. The call waiting message preferably includes a call waiting indicator and an audible representation of information associated with a current calling party. The call waiting message alerts the customer that a current call is waiting and provides the customer with information that assists the customer in deciding whether or not to take the current call. The call waiting indicator and the information associated with a current calling party are automatically transmitted to the customer without any customer commands.

Abstract: A system and method of processing calls in a telephone network having advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities is provided. The method includes the step of coordinating the use of an indirect interface and a direct interface over direct and indirect data paths between a service control point and an intelligent peripheral in the telephone network. The system includes a service control point having an interface mediator for coordinating the use of the direct and indirect interfaces.

Abstract: A method of designing an interface system that allows users to map the representation of their task directly to the interface. There are three major phases to the Customer-Centric Approach to Interface Design (C-CAID). End-users' tasks are categorized to determine the frequency of reasons or tasks of why users interact with a particular system. These reasons and their relative frequencies are used to design interface options that emphasize the user's task categories. Finally, the customer-centric interface designs are evaluated and compared with existing system interfaces using usability tests with actual users performing the tasks. The results from usability tests are used to pinpoint the task-option combinations that do not work well and which should be revised. Benefits of this customer-centric design are improved systems performance and increased user satisfaction.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for selecting a destination number upon receiving a dialed number from a calling party. The preferred embodiments include a telecommunications system that, after receiving a dialed number from a calling party, selects a particular destination number and routes the call to that number. In one preferred embodiment, information about the calling party's end office, such as an originating point code, is used to select a destination number. In another preferred embodiment, destination numbers are stored in a plurality of database locations in the system, and the zip code of the calling party is used to select the appropriate database to query for the destination number. Since the database location selection is independent of the dialed number, the system—not the number dialed by the calling party—determines the appropriate database location to query. These preferred embodiments can be used in a variety of situations and find particular use in a non-emergency service environment.

Abstract: A cable pair shifting system (12) for shifting a cable pair (20) from an old cable pair location to a new cable pair location and method for the same are provided including a quick shift jack panel (64). The quick shift jack panel (64) contains an old pair of connection locations and a new pair of connection locations. A first test cord (70) has a first old end for electrically coupling to the old pair of connections and a second old end for electrically coupling to the old cable pair location. A second test cord (76) has a first new end for electrically coupling to the new pair of connections and a second new end for electrically coupling to the new cable pair location. The quick shift jack panel (64) in combination with the first test cord (70) and the second test cord (76), shift the cable pair from the old cable pair location to the new cable pair location.

Abstract: A telecommunications service implements an account code reporting feature by storing an account code associated with a subscriber at a service control point (SCP) in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). When a call is initiated from the subscriber's terminal, the SCP receives outgoing call data, including the subscriber's telephone number, a called party number and an account code entered from the subscriber's terminal. The SCP determines whether the call is subject to the account code reporting service and, if so, stores the call data. The SCP transmits the call data to a service management system accessible by the subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packet switched data network and an interactive voice response through the PSTN. The call is subject to the account code reporting service when the called party number is in the same local access and transport area as the subscriber's telephone number.

Abstract: A method and system for automating the analysis of word frequencies includes a frequency system automatically analyzing a plurality of statements, a count engine, and a cluster engine. The count engine allows for the counting of unique words in the statements and the determination of a frequency of occurrence for each unique word. The frequency system further includes a phrase file allowing for the count engine to specify groups of words as single unique words and a synonym file allowing for the count engine to group one or more words together in synonym groups to be specified as single unique words. The cluster engine locates a plurality of clusters in the statements and determines a cluster frequency of occurrence for each of the clusters. The automated analysis of the statements allows for cost savings, more efficient use of time, and more reliable and consistent word frequency results.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes a digital switch, a local loop coupling the digital switch to a subscriber location, wherein a segment of the local loop includes copper twisted pair and wherein an asymmetrical digital subscriber line is carried by the local loop, the asymmetrical digital subscriber line including a plurality of data packets capable of carrying a plurality of derived digital telephone lines. The telecommunication system further includes a subscriber unit coupled to the asymmetrical digital subscriber line. The subscriber unit monitors the content of at least one of the plurality of data packets, receives an off-hook signal in response to an action of a user, and initiates a first derived digital telephone line of the plurality of derived digital telephone lines in response to the off-hook signal.