Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive voice response (IVR) system supplying functions and resources to services encompassing interactive voice response or output of announcements and three methods for dealing with resource bottlenecks of the IVR system. The IVR system supplies a pool of resources to several switching systems. Virtual, individually assigned IVR systems are created from the perspective of the switching systems by allocating the control interfaces and user data interfaces of the IVR system in an exclusive, disjunctive manner to the switching systems. Resource bottlenecks can be prevented when several switching systems access the IVR system by rejecting jobs for which the required resources cannot be reserved or by aborting jobs creating too substantial delays during processing due to the wait for resources. The invention has the advantage of efficiently utilizing the resources supplied by the IVR system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for error detection in a packet-based message distribution system, according to which messages are distributed via a plurality of nodes and other system components, and each node comprises at least two addressable interfaces is provided. For the security of the system, the message distribution paths are designed in a redundant manner and redundancy paths are available in the message distribution system in the event of the breakdown of connections in the message distribution system. The invention topology of the message distribution system is known by the nodes, and the nodes check the accessibility of the other nodes by means of communication tests; interrogate intermediate system components by means of existing interfaces and in terms of the connection status thereof in relation to other nodes and/or system components, and signal optional error configurations, physical errors, and/or missing redundancy paths of the message distribution system.

Abstract: During the output of data and distribution services, user data streams frequently transferred to a corresponding communication device (i.e. information output system and/or the distribution system) are possibly irrelevant to the server. Despite this, resources for the processing of incoming useful data flows inside the communication device are provided in many cases on account of compatibility grounds. As a result, energy is reduced in the communication device. According to the invention, in order to reduce the efforts involved in processing useful data transferred in the direction of the communication device, at least one part of useful data is discarded prior to the implementation of working steps provided for the processing of useful data.

Abstract: According to the invention, an information output, e.g. a voice output, video information output, or a simultaneous output of video and audio information, which is to be transmitted via a packet-oriented network, is generation by means of pre-coded information output components. Said pre-coded information output components are present in a memory system and are retrieved as part of the processing of a request for the output of information by an information output system. Similarly, generation rules for the information output can be stored in the memory system and accessed by the information output system in order to generate the information output. According to one embodiment, information output components or generation rules are created in an information output configuration system and are subsequently made available in the memory system. The invention optimizes the use of resources for information-output services.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.

Abstract: According to the invention, the type of transmission of signaling information, for a user-interaction with a speech dialogue system in a packet network, is determined with relation to a simplifying processing for DTMF signaling information. A speech dialogue system without special hardware for the processing of DTMF in-band signaling is provided and maintains, during the codec negotiation or the fixing of the coding method for application, that only services with DTMF out-of-band signaling, or signaling by means of dedicated data packets (for example RFC 2833) are carried out by the speech dialogue system. The above may be achieved whereby coding methods with in-band signaling are basically not permitted with relation to the codec negotiation or the control device, controlling the speech dialogue system, is embodied such that, independently of the coding method, out-of-band signaling is always stipulated by the control device.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting the fault of a message interface in a communications device is provided, wherein the message interface comprises at least two layers which communicate with each other, a top layer accesses to the services of the lower layer and offers the services thereof to upper layers, for detecting a fault in the layers, at least one test application sends at least one test message for testing the information state of at least certain individual layers, thereby making it possible to control the information capabilities between the layers of the message interface.

Abstract: A protocol is provided being executed with a redundancy of 1:1. As a result, an identical clone, with identical hardware, identical software and an identical data base, is allocated to each switching system to be protected, as a redundancy partner. Switching is carried out in a quick, secure and automatic manner by a superordinate, real-time enabled monitor which establishes communication with the switching systems which are arranged in pairs. In the event of communication loss with respect to the active communication system, real-time switching to the redundant switching system is carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to the representation of ISDN connections, which is independent of the type of connection, in a packet-oriented exchange. By adapting the signaling information, which is transmitted by ISDN connections, in a peripheral adapter, different ISDN connection types can be handled as a standard connection type in the packet-oriented exchange. The adaptation can ensue, for example, with the aid of a conversion table for the useful data references and call identifiers comprising signaling messages. The invention is advantageous in that it involves an uncomplicated representation of ISDN data in the packet-oriented exchange. ISDN connection-related data do not need to be managed in the packet-oriented exchange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plurality of common switching systems which are interconnected in order to form a virtual switching system. The number of the internal switching system is entered into the numbering of the port of the virtual switching system thus making a standardized user interface of the switching system become available. The port can be managed by a user in a traditional manner. The virtual switching system can be automatically configured due to said type of configuration when a central entity for developing the internal routing on the partial system is introduced, and then, optional geographical redundancy of the virtual switching system is possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and a system for rerouting the useful data flow in a packet network within the frame of a service, whereby the resources for executing said service are provided in the area for action of a switching center. According to said invention, a packet converter is provided in the area for action of said switching center and, within the frame of said service, the useful data flow is carried through the packet converter. The adaptations, which are necessary for rerouting said useful data flow, are executed in said packet converter. The present invention has the advantage that only the switching center, which is responsible for the resource allocation, is concerned when the useful data flow is rerouted. Inter-exchange signaling with other switching centers is thus substantially reduced.

Abstract: The provision of subscriber service features is one of the tasks of exchanges in classic TDM networks. This includes e.g., announcements and interactive responses. According to the prior art, these announcements and interactive responses are either provided by peripheral devices of the exchange which are equipped with the appropriate function or by external announcement and interactive response systems. The latter are provided either in TDM networks with proprietary interfaces or in packet networks with standardized interfaces. The invention solves the problem of providing the service for classic TDM networks by providing that the known packet-based method for controlling an external system for providing announcements and interactive responses is transferred to an exchange located in the classical TDM network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for call diversion in a telecommunication network, comprising a data network (1), a voice network (2), for the transmission of speech, a network server (7), for the speech network (2) and a management server (6), for the data network (1). According to the invention, the management server is interrogated about the state of a call from the user terminal (8) to the data network (1) and where an error in said call occurs a call transfer to a stored address is carried out by the network server (7).

Abstract: Services and performance characteristics are more and more frequently defined according to standard descriptions and formats, which is the case also for announcement services and dialogue services required especially in network services, for example. The associated descriptions are also provided in a standard form, e.g. by means of VoiceXML. When a service is introduced in the network, said descriptions are inserted into the network nodes, application, and/or media server. A browser functionality which reads and interprets the VoiceXML pages is required for processing the VoiceXML description on a media server platform such that the necessary basic functions of the media server can be allocated to the desired service and can be controlled. Prior art uses media servers comprising a single VoiceXML browser. The problem with such commercial products lies in the resulting suboptimality in terms of resource utilization and expenses, which is the case particularly for simple applications.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, audio and video user data are separated. The audio user data is conducted via a TDM loop, where it is tapped and the video user data is fed to the recipient via the packet network, the separated audio and video user data are then combined again.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for detecting the availability of components of a redundant communication system in which hardware components are available at least in duplicate, the redundant system components taking over the function of the previously active operating system components when one or more hardware components break down. The system components operate together in resource groups and each resource group can run on at least two hardware components. In order to permit system component availability to be detected, one resource group operates actively on precisely one single hardware component and the at least one redundant resource group runs on at least one additional system component in a standby mode, the data in the active resource group being automatically replicated.

Abstract: Means for preventing a split brain scenario during high availability requests by providing a communication link between a switching control device operating on the application level and the module operating on the protocol level are provided. Quitting of the correct physical address is shifted to the application level via the communication link.

Abstract: According to the invention, an information output, e.g. a voice output, video information output, or a simultaneous output of video and audio information, which is to be transmitted via a packet-oriented network, is generation by means of pre-coded information output components. Said pre-coded information output components are present in a memory system and are retrieved as part of the processing of a request for the output of information by an information output system. Similarly, generation rules for the information output can be stored in the memory system and accessed by the information output system in order to generate the information output. According to one embodiment, information output components or generation rules are created in an information output configuration system and are subsequently made available in the memory system. The invention optimizes the use of resources for information-output services.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for billing for a connection routed via a packet network is provided. According to the method, billing is started the when the connection is established between a plurality of subscriber terminals. Information packets are transmitting according to a quality standard by at least one of the terminals. The information packets are routed in the network via a central device controlling a quality. The billing is stopping if the quality standard is not met.

Abstract: According to the invention, an information output, e.g. a voice output, video information output, or a simultaneous output of video and audio information, which is to be transmitted via a packet-oriented network, is generation by means of pre-coded information output components. Said pre-coded information output components are present in a memory system and are retrieved as part of the processing of a request for the output of information by an information output system. Similarly, generation rules for the information output can be stored in the memory system and accessed by the information output system in order to generate the information output. According to one embodiment, information output components or generation rules are created in an information output configuration system and are subsequently made available in the memory system. The invention optimizes the use of resources for information-output services.