Abstract: A method of and system for controlling access to the Internet by members of an organization that includes at least one supervisor and at least one non-supervisor for which limited Internet access is desired. The system maintains for each member of the organization a session identifier. When the system establishes an Internet session between a member of the organization and the Internet, the system initially sets a user session identifier for said Internet session to a default session identifier, which is the session identifier for the lowers access level member of the organization. When the member requests a resource, the system determines if an access level rating for requested source is greater than the value of the access level field of the user session identifier. If so, the system blocks the resource and presents member with choices of logging on to the system as a specific member of the organization with a higher access level, or appealing the blocking to a supervisor.

Abstract: A double firewalled system is disclosed for protecting remote enterprise servers that provide communication services to telecommunication network customers from unauthorized third parties. A first router directs all connection requests to one or more secure web servers, which may utilize a load balancer to efficiently distribute the session connection load among a high number of authorized client users. On the network side of the web servers, a second router directs all connection requests to a dispatcher server, which routes application server calls to a proxy server for the application requested. A plurality of data security protocols are also employed. The protocols provide for an identification of the user, and an authentication of the user to ensure the user is who he/she claims to be and a determination of entitlements that the user may avail themselves of within the enterprise system.

Abstract: A Web/Internet based reporting system provides a common GUI enabling the requesting, customizing, scheduling and viewing of various types of reports generated by different server applications and/or application platforms. The reporting system includes a report manager, report scheduler and report requestor applications capable of defining, creating, managing and tracking specific reports that are available to customers in accordance with customer entitlements. Metadata messaging employed to enable specific report option presentation, report customization and report execution/scheduling options. A Web-based system infrastructure is provided that enables the acquisition and secure presentation of customer reports to customers from any client browser application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a communications system in which a network is present that provides a plurality of communications paths. A plurality of elements is connected to the network including a monitor server, wherein the monitor server includes monitoring means for obtaining status information from the plurality of elements. Also connected to the network is a client server, wherein the client server includes communications means for retrieving status information from the monitor server. Display means is present on the client server for displaying status information on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed which provide for a communications gateway to be operatively coupled to a messaging system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, communications are established via the gateway responsive at least to messaging communications involving the communications gateway.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.

Abstract: An interactive telephony services system is provided with instant communications function. In accordance with some embodiments, presence information related to the availability of a called party to be contacted via instant communications affects the handling of telephone calls to the called party. In accordance with some embodiments, a telephone call may be connected to an instant communications client used by a called party.

Abstract: Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system wherein services are provided via instant communications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.

Abstract: A media translator is disclosed for converting among speech signals and textual information, such as between telephony speech signals and textual information communicated via a messaging communications system.

Abstract: A session initiation protocol (SIP) server adds billing and authentication information to conventional SIP messages used in establishing call transfers. This additional information is later verified by a SIP server and used to enable advanced billing and fraud protection features for call transfers in a SIP telecommunications network.

Abstract: Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in international calls in a long-distance telecommunications system, where selected customers can avoid fraud control blocks and greater granularity is achieved in blocking international destinations. In the method and device, an override flag is created in the records of the Billing Number Screening (BNS) database. When a call is made using a billing number whose corresponding record has the override flag set, the call is not stopped by fraud control blocks on certain international destinations. In addition, international destinations can be blocked with greater specificity because a Country Set Logic (CSET) field is added to the International City Code Database. The addition of CSET to this database allows particular international city destinations to be blocked from certain origin points.

Abstract: A packaging cutter for the safe and effective perforation of packaging materials on packages or other containers comprises a body and a cutting mechanism housed within the body. The body comprises two side walls and a top wall defining an interior volume in which the packaged container is positioned during the cutting process. The cutting mechanism is mounted in or to the top wall. The packaging cutter also comprises a depth setting mechanism to prevent cutting of the package or container itself.

Abstract: A call processing network performance verification and validation system and test methodology. The call processing network implements Internet Protocol (IP) subnet topology, ATM WAN configuration, equipment placement, and device configuration to provide partitioning of a call processing application across multiple sites. The partitioning reduces latency for mission critical messages, while providing for necessary provisioning traffic needs. Further, the overall topology provides the redundancy and resiliency necessary for mission critical call processing application, utilizing the IP subnets, ATM permanent virtual circuits, network device configuration, and server segregation to achieve Quality of Service (QoS). The validation testing method and system proves out the various segregated routes, verifies subnet integrity and measures total latency and data path traversal in a verifiable manner.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an addition to the Session Initiation Protocol is disclosed. The addition is a new field header, preferably entitled “Feature”, that is added to the REGISTER message. This field would contain control information for various feature services, like the Do Not Disturb feature and other services provided by traditional PBX systems.

Abstract: An integrated data management system for providing data management services from an enterprise over the Internet is described. A user interface executable in a customer workstation authenticate the customer's access to the system and presents one or more data management services according a customer entitlement, for the customer to select. Client applications representing the data management services re initiated by the user interface in response to customer selection. Consequently, the customer is enabled at the customer site to request and receive the data management services according to the customer's entitlements in a secure Internet-based computing environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting dropped packets in a network that includes a packet switched network. The method includes establishing a telephonic connection between a first network location and a second network location. A set of N waveforms are transmitted from the first network location. Each transmitted waveform includes a waveform characteristic operative to assign a predetermined value relative to other waveforms in the at least one set, such that a predetermined sequence of values are assigned to packets carrying the N transmitted waveforms. A telephonic signal is received at the second network location via the communications channel. The telephonic signal is processed to obtain a received sequence of values. The received sequence of values is compared to the predetermined sequence of transmitted values to detect dropped packets without having access to packet switched network control data.

Abstract: A method for communicating and scheduling maintenance requests, utilizing a program storage device readable by a server machine, which includes the steps of providing a maintenance request form having fields where information about a maintenance request can be set forth, e.g.

Abstract: A Web-based call routing management workstation application which allows authorized customers to control toll free routing and monitor call center status. An architecture including one or more web servers located in a firewalled demilitarized zone (DMZ) as communications medium between the customer workstations at the customer sites and the enterprise back-end applications providing the call routing management services, provides a secure infrastructure for accessing the enterprise applications via the otherwise insecure public Internet. The present invention enables creation and management of call by call routing rules by a customer with a workstation having an Internet access and a supported Web browser. The customized rules may be tested and/or debugged via the Web-enabled workstation, using a debugger/tester which runs the routing rules under a simulated environment.