Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.

Abstract: A programmable telephone line device (10) for selectively interconnecting two or more telephone lines between a plurality of communication instruments is disclosed. The device (10) includes an assignment matrix (24) for inter-connecting the telephone lines with the communication instruments and a control assembly (26) for automatically or manually directing the assignment matrix (24) to transfer a communication instrument from its primary telephone line to a roll-over telephone line if its primary telephone line is in use.

Abstract: A telecommunications system handles 800 calls between first and second networks in different countries. In the preferred embodiment, call handling equipment of the second network receives a call from a call origin in the first network, wherein the call was placed using an 800 number corresponding to a destination in the second network and wherein the second network includes interexchange carriers and local exchange carriers. Preferably, the call is received in call handling equipment of one of the interexchange carriers and carried to the destination by the interexchange carrier to which the 800 number is assigned. In one embodiment, the call is reoriginated after receipt by the call handling equipment of a local exchange carrier which routes the call to the assigned interexchange carrier. Billing charges are assessed to the origin for international toll charges and to the destination for 800 toll charges in the second network.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing data to multiple computer locations associated with a computer network determines which of the multiple network computer locations are to receive a data distribution, and then generates a first message indicating the data comprising the data distribution and the network computer locations intended to receive the data distribution. The first message and the data distribution are transmitted to the network such that each of the multiple network locations is capable of receiving the data distribution. The multiple network computer locations examine the first message so that each network computer location can determine whether it is an intended location for receiving the data distribution. Then, one or more intended network locations receive the data distribution.

Abstract: An on-line directory service includes a server associated with a database containing a plurality of directory listings including advertising information. A customer subscribing to the on-line directory service may selectively view directory listings from the database by initiating a search research at a personal computer linked with the server. The search request may specify a particular service or product, a particular geographical preference or other search parameters. The search request is then forwarded to the server which accesses the database and retrieves the responsive information for the customer. To place a telephone call to a service provider listed in response to the customer search request, the customer merely activates a telephone icon associated with the selected service or product provider. The server then obtains a telephone number associated with the selected provider from the database and automatically dials the telephone number.

Abstract: A system of bidirectional transmission of optical signals over an optical fiber in a telecommunications network includes a transceiver unit having an optical signal transmitter and receiver coupled with each end of the fiber, and a signal monitor for detecting a predetermined deviation in the signal strength directed toward each receiver from the fiber. This predetermined deviation is indicative of a signal path disruption in the fiber resulting in at least partial signal reflection of the signals from a transmitter toward the receiver of the same set.

Abstract: An object oriented system models a selected telecommunications circuit to estimate the access cost for leasing the selected circuit. A database contains circuit data relating to a plurality of telecommunications circuits included the selected circuit. The object oriented system includes a unit cost model driver object and a domain object residing on a personal computer. The domain object comprises a plurality of telecommunications objects adapted to model telecommunications circuits in accordance with a preselected cost structure based on a plurality of access cost parameters. The driver object retrieves the circuit data for the selected circuit from the database and distributes the circuit data to the telecommunications objects. The telecommunications objects, which are adapted to communicate with one another upon receiving circuit data, collectively produce an output signal to the driver object representing the access cost for the selected circuit.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, a network host call server determines whether a call placed using a prepaid calling card was issued by a vendor other than the telecommunications carrier and if so, queries a database associated with the issuing vendor for information representing the telecommunications services associated with the card.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network operable for routing calls such as 800 calls, to a plurality of customer destinations, a system allows the customer to configure the routing of calls by entering selected call routing criteria at a computer at the customer site. Selected information representative of the call routing criteria is then transmitted to a central processor system which then composes a set of call handling statements, also called time features, which the network then compiles into an executable routing scheme for routing calls.

Abstract: A message initiated at a first terminal and transmitted over a first communications link to a relay interface may be relayed to a second terminal over a second communications link by converting the words in the message received at the relay interface into a format compatible for use by the second terminal. Then, the formatted words are individually analyzed so that corrections may be made prior to display at the second terminal. The formatted words may be corrected manually by a relay agent or automatically utilizing a computer program associated with a relay terminal at the relay interface. Then, the analyzed words are displayed at the second terminal. The relay interface may be used for unilateral and bilateral communication between a standard telephone set and a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).

Abstract: A system for recording the services provided by a telecommunications network in response to a service request generates a number of individual records corresponding to the number of network elements providing telecommunications services in response to the request. Each individual record contains information relating to the services provided by the corresponding network element. Those service requests requiring the services of two or more network elements are assigned an identifier which is stored in each corresponding record. Records having a common identifier are matched with one another and merged into a single network record corresponding to the service request. Billing statements and statistical reports may be derived from the single network record.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that automates the database recovery process. A person not technically skilled in the use of a computer can operate the new procedure. The process operates under a system in which menus known as "panels" prompt the user for information and process selection. The user merely selects one of the panels to start and operate the system. Each recovery procedure follows the same general series of steps comprising of initialization of system location and variables, selection by the operator of major functions including research, recovery, and cleanup, process of the function and function options, and execution of the mode in which the function will be processed. This panel driven system results in a significant reduction of the amount of time required for recovery, at least a twenty percent decrease for the period.

Abstract: A system and method for routing administrative data over a telecommunications network to a remote processor establishes a connection between a router and the remote processor over a primary link. A processor associated with the router is adapted to detect a predetermined condition and thereupon to automatically reconfigure the router to establish another connection with the remote processor or a connection with another remote processor. The data may be routed over a telecommunications switching network using a router having inverse multiplexing capability. Further, a sockets connection may be established between the associated processor and the remote processor for monitoring the status of the connection between the router and the remote processor to detect a predetermined condition such as a link failure. External customer data may be routed to the system for remote archival purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring the synchronization of SONET signals. The invention counts the bits in an STS-1 signal starting at a reference time point and ending when the framing bytes A1 and A2 are detected. The counts are repeated every other SONET frame. The system can be applied to multiple SONET signals arriving at a location. The system can employ a CPU to analyze the bit counts to determine if the timing of a SONET signal begins to experience wander.

Abstract: A data access client program resides on a local computer and a data access server program resides on a remote computer. The programs are adapted to enable an application program on the local computer to access data stored on the remote computer. The client and server programs are adapted to communicate with one another over a communication link, preferably one employing the Advanced Program to Program Communication (APPC) protocol. The user stores the attributes of remote files to be accessed on a predetermined computer. When the application program on the local computer issues a remote data access request, the data access client program communicates the request to the data access server program. The server is configured to obtain the previously stored file attributes and to access the data requested by the application program based thereon. The server returns the requested information to the client, which in turn provides the information to the application program.

Abstract: The present invention is a SONET system for use in large geographic areas, such as areas encompassed by an IXC network, or which are larger than a LATA or a metropolitan area. The system uses self-healing rings which are interconnected. Some of the rings are stacked within the same physical routes in order to minimize the number of ring terminals on each ring.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network operable for routing calls such as 800 calls, to a plurality of customer destinations, a system allows the customer to configure the routing of calls by entering selected call routing criteria such as a call-routing map associated with a time frame for implementation thereof included as part of an overall routing plan. The routing map includes the desired allocation of calls placed from a customer defined origination region to selected ones of the customer's call receiving destinations. Using the customer supplied criteria, the system then composes a set of call-handling statements, also called time features, which the network then compiles into an executable routing scheme for translating the dialed number into the physical number associated with the selected customer destination.

Abstract: A system (400), in its receiver aspect (e.g. 402), interconnects a terminal link (451) to either a first autonomous link (421) or a second autonomous link (431) depending upon the error conditions on the first and second links. The second link redundantly propagates the same data stream as the first link both in Extended Superframe Format (ESF) as generated in a transmitter (401) of the system. The two independent data streams are aligned in the receiver to compensate for the propagation delay difference between these two links. A predetermined number of first and second ESF superframes are stored in buffers during calculation of logic errors, if any, in each of the ESF superframes using the check data in each ESF superframe.