Abstract: Metering of a data transfer operation between two end systems across a communications infrastructure is done by having at least one of the end systems send a metering message to a service system. Both end systems can be set to send respective metering messages to the service system at the conclusion of the transfer operation. Metering messages can also be sent on an on-going basis during the course of the transfer operation by one or both end systems; in this latter case, the end system or systems involved preferably maintain a connection with the service system throughout the transfer operation. Metering can be in terms of pages sent.

Abstract: A calling party dials a called party, a no-answer status is received, and the called number is automatically redialed at intervals until receiving an answer status or reaching a maximum limit. Prompting a user for redial options may be included. A called party may be requested to select connection before the call is connected to the calling party.

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (ACD) system, which includes an object-oriented system for defining one or more call treatments is provided. The system includes a first graphical user interface including a plurality of data record fields, which define data applicable to handling an incoming call. Also included is a second graphical user interface, which is configured to accept one or more tests based on the data included in the data record fields applicable to the handling of an incoming call. The first and second graphical user interfaces include a plurality of icons and data entry fields, which are manipulated by a system user to create and modify a call treatment. Once created, call treatments are displayed in a graphical format on a third graphical user interface, which allows one or more portions of a displayed call treatment to be altered by selecting the graphical representation of the relevant portion using a computer mouse or other point and click device.

Abstract: A distributed system of gateways for establishing telephone communication connections between digital telephone service (e.g., DSL) subscribers and analog subscribers. A DSL subscriber's telephone connection includes digital and analog channels. In one method of operating the system, when a DSL subscriber initiates a telephone call to a party that is not a subscriber to the same service, the call is routed through a DSL Access Multiplexer to a digital network. A portal or directory server on the digital network determines that the called party is not a subscriber and therefore locates a “pass-through” subscriber served by the same central office as the called party. The portal routes the call to the pass-through subscriber, where the call is transferred from the digital channel of the subscriber's DSL connection to the analog channel. It is then directed back to the central office and switched over the local loop to the called party.

Abstract: Telephone lines are moved from one or more switching modules (105 and 107) to one or more new switching modules (201) with minimal outage for customers whose lines are affected. Pseudo-lines are created (303) and the new switching module (201) and line data that supports customer features and routing of calls is programmed into the new switching module(s) (201). Connections are moved from the old module(s) (105 and 107) to the new module(s) (201), and the telephone numbers, i.e., routing information, is exchanged (309) between the modules in a single transaction.

Abstract: Telephony services are implemented using a media-control framework in which a media switch controls the mixing of multiple participant streams. A connection is established between the media switch and each of the participants in a given call or other communication. The media switch then implements a desired telephony service by controlling the mixing of media streams in accordance with multiple permit sets and multiple want sets, each of the permit sets and each of the want sets being associated with a given media stream of a given participant. A particular one of the permit sets specifies one or more additional participants that are permitted to receive a send flow of the given stream in conjunction with the telephony service, while the corresponding one of the want sets specifies one or more additional participants from which the given participant wants to receive a receive flow of the given stream in conjunction with the telephony service.

Abstract: A method and system for switching short code telephone calls based on origination time and service area provides a reusable set of short codes for call switching in conjunction with radio promotions and other short-term uses. A database-managed switching system manages the use of the short-code identifier so that the identifier is switched to a particular exchange in conformity with a time period for which the switching is established. In addition, the service area of the originating station can determine the switching path, so that the same identifier can be used simultaneously in multiple geographical regions.

Abstract: The estimated call waiting time process uses sampling statistics gathered over a moving window to determine the expected call wait time for each particular call into a call center. The window size is dynamically changed based on sampling theory and changes to call arrival rates and agent availability.

Abstract: A telecommunications network for the automated switching of calls according to predefined user preferences has a plurality of computer platforms (100, 200, 300) at spaced locations, each platform including call receiving means (130, 230, 330), switch control means (120, 220, 320) for controlling the switching of incoming calls, and a Global data server (150, 250, 350) for maintaining real-time call destination status information. The switch control means of each platform is in communication with the Global data server of all of the other platforms. Call Destination Status information for a given user, is maintained on only one of the available Global data servers, with users being spread across the platforms to approximately equalise the loadings at each site.

Abstract: A novel Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) Center allows an on-hold customer, upon learning of an unacceptable waiting time for service, to accept a date- and time-stamped “Priority Token,” and then end the current telephone call. If the customer calls the ACD Center back within a predefined Token Window (stored in the ACD system memory and announced to the customer as he/she is receiving the Priority Token), as indicated by the automatic presentation of the Priority Token, the customer is placed back into the queue position he/she had during the previous call, or if that queue position has already passed, the customer is placed at the top of the queue to be served by the next available agent. The Priority Token stored in the ACD system memory includes the Directory Number in the preferred embodiment for ease of detection of calls incoming to the ACD Center.

Abstract: A telephone feature can be implemented within a Digital Multiplex Switch (DMS) in order to mute a telephone handset's voice path at the telephone network level. In this DMS, a Digital Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) receiver monitors for a predefined sequence of DTMF buttons being pressed on the particular handset, that being the * button followed by two other digits. When the DMS detects such a code, it interrupts the transmit path of the particular handset by opening a switch within the cross-connection switch matrix, therefore removing from the telephone session any background acoustic noise at the particular muted telephone handset and any electrical noise within the transmission line between the muted handset and the DMS. This feature is particularly useful during teleconferencing sessions, in which numerous parties are not contributing to the call, but must listen to the discussion.

Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: Each of ISDN extension terminals which are connected in a point-multipoint connection mode transmits call initiation information while identification information thereof is contained in the call initiation information when a call is initiated: a private branch exchange includes a main memory for storing a table representing the corresponding relationship between the extension number and service class information, and a central processing equipment for searching the service class information corresponding to the extension number contained in call initiation information from the table when the call initiation information is received from an extension, and performing call processing in accordance with the service class information thus searched, whereby even when a plurality of extension terminals are connected to an exchange in the point-multipoint connection mode, the service class management can be performed for every extension terminal.

Abstract: A computer-telephone integrated system includes a switch engine carrying out a switching control, devices coupled to the switch engine, a service request part requesting a telephone switching service with respect to the switch engine, and a service request process/call information notifying part providing an interface function between the switch engine and the service request part. The service request process/call information notifying part processes a switching service request from the service request part to the switch engine, and notifies call information related to the devices and the switch engine from the switching engine to the service request part. The call information includes information related to states of the devices and information related to a connection of a path between the switch engine and the devices.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems configured to distribute a telephone call, communication systems, communication methods and methods of routing a telephone call to a customer service representative. In one embodiment of the invention, a system configured to distribute a telephone call within a network includes a distributor adapted to connect with a telephone system, the distributor being configured to connect a telephone call using the telephone system and output the telephone call and associated data of the telephone call; and a plurality of customer service representative terminals connected with the distributor and a selected customer service representative terminal being configured to receive the telephone call and the associated data, the distributor and the selected customer service representative terminal being configured to synchronize, application of the telephone call and associated data from the distributor to the selected customer service representative terminal.

Abstract: The customer inputs the customer's identification data to the customer's terminal (7). The customer's terminal sends the input identification data to the server (2). The server (2) acquires from the database (3) historical information of the customer corresponding to the identification data. The server (2) sends the acquired historical information to the customer terminal (7). The customer terminal (7) displays the historical information by a browser. By doing this, the customer is able to select a desired operator based on the displayed historical information. The customer terminal (7) sends the selected operator information to the server (2). The server (2) connects the operator terminal of the selected operator to the customer terminal (7). The PBX (4) connects the operator telephone of the selected operator to the customer telephone (8).

Abstract: Telephone number translations and other data, such as class of service, that heretofore resided in end offices are relocated to one or more locations remote from the switches. Such locations may contain Integrated Service Control Points (ISCPs), or processing systems of like capacity, that are accessible through the SS7 network to the central office switches that serve calling subscribers. Translation tables that relate exchange codes to point codes, as well as triggers for routing to ported numbers, thus are not set individually in each central office. Information for each new service is loaded only into a single, or relatively few, centrally located databases rather than at each switch.

Abstract: An arbitration-type call establishing system comprising a plurality of user systems and a connection control system. The user systems each include means for transmitting the arbitration conditions including the desired other party to connect and the desired other party to permit a connection request, to a connection control system through a data network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unified overlay dialing enables simplified telephone dialing to occur within a standard overlay area and eliminates disruption dealing with area code saturation. Each three-digit area code within an overlay area is associated with a single-digit suffix, with the parent area code obtaining the suffix “0”. Intra-overlay area dialing then proceeds on the basis of a seven digit number plus a one-digit suffix, rather than a full 10 or 1+10-digit number. For dialing to the parent area code from within the overlay area, the suffix may be omitted entirely, and the expiration of a suitable timing delay causes the seven digit number provided to be dialed into the original (parent) area code. This method can be implemented in connection with a telephone company central office switch, a modified custom calling service or be made accessible to individual telephone subscribers using computerized customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A method for providing communication service in an Advanced Intelligent Network environment comprises receiving an alert message that originates from the database, the alert message including a protocol parameter; identifying a protocol that controls communication between the intelligent peripheral and the database in a protocol identified by the protocol parameter, the protocol being stored in a database in the IP containing a plurality of protocols and a plurality of protocol parameters, each protocol in the plurality of protocols being correlated with a unique protocol parameter from the plurality of protocol parameters; and executing the protocol.