Abstract: A transmitter transmitting payload data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols, including: a frame builder configured to receive the payload data and to receive signalling data to use in detecting and recovering the payload data at a receiver, and to form the payload data with the signalling data into frames for transmission: a modulator configured to modulate a first OFDM symbol with the signalling data and to modulate one or more second OFDM symbols with the payload data; a signature sequence processor circuit providing a signature sequence; a combiner circuit combining the signature sequence with the first OFDM symbol; a prefixing circuit prefixing a guard interval to the first OFDM symbol to form a preamble; and a transmission circuit transmitting the preamble and the one or more second OFDM symbols. The guard interval is formed from time domain samples of a part of the signature sequence.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus failure influence range recognition apparatus, an apparatus failure influence range recognition method, and a program capable of billing for a proper call charge for a call suspected of non-provision of a service. An apparatus failure influence range recognition apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive apparatus failure information which is failure information of an element constituting a network, user information which is information regarding a user of a service, and call details information of an IP telephone, and a calculation unit configured to calculate, by linking the apparatus failure information, the user information, and the call details information with each other, a subtracted call charge with respect to a call charge for a suspected call influenced by an apparatus failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for managing emails where an email server that may comprise one or more computer systems, and which may be part of an email system, receives an email addressed to a specified first user. The email server may analyze the received email and access one or more electronic databases, which may comprise information related to one or more respective registered users of the email system. The databases may be stored on one or more computer-readable storage media operatively connected to the email server.

Abstract: A telephone network voting system receives telephone ballots cast by voters by dialing a telephone number. The telephone number is dialed by voters spread over a large geographic area. The voting calls are routed to points of presence local to or otherwise identified with the caller by using the caller's ANI or other originating number identification. The points of presence then accumulate votes and periodically forward tallies to a centralized location over a data network. Instructions may be transmitted from the centralized location to the points of presence.

Abstract: A method for resource management of a data processing system is described herein. According to one embodiment, a token is periodically pushed into a memory usage queue, where the token includes a timestamp indicating time entering the memory usage queue. The memory usage queue stores a plurality of memory page identifiers (IDs) identifying a plurality of memory pages currently allocated to a plurality of programs running within the data processing system. In response to a request to reduce memory usage, a token is popped from the memory usage queue. A timestamp of the popped token is then compared with current time to determine whether a memory usage reduction action should be performed.

Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a network service provider to monitor a packet network by using call detail records (CDRs) are disclosed. The method first detects a termination of a call by at least one voice gateway router and generates a call detail record (CDR) at said termination of said call by said at least one voice gateway router. The method then forwards said call detail record by said at least one voice gateway router to at least one CDR collecting and analysis server.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a packet network by using call detail records (CDRs) are disclosed. The method first receives at least one call detail record (CDR) at a completion of a call from at least one voice gateway router that serviced said call and analyzes said at least one CDR. The method then monitors at least one performance parameter in accordance with said at least one CDR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring pattern shifts in call patterns, e.g., call volumes and/or feature usage in a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network is disclosed. The present method collects performance data over a set period of time and constantly compares each periodic sample with the previous periodic sample on a rolling window basis. Changes of a pre-defined percentage threshold, e.g., approximately 30%, or more in a current sampled period are alarmed and monitored to preclude potential service disruptions. In one embodiment, upon receipt of these alarms, network elements that are vulnerable to discontinuities due to overload can be automatically reset or cleared of hung processes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing the communications and information resources of a user. When a request for data is received, a message log is queried for the data. A result of the query is then communicated.

Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for identifying areas of outbound roaming on a wireless network are disclosed. A roaming-network event record listing roaming events of subscribers of a home network is received. A home-network event record listing network events on a home network is also received. The two records are correlated to identify roaming events and network events having matching caller identifiers and time stamps within a predetermined range. Location data of a network event is adopted as location data for a matching roaming event. A home-network wireless-communications antenna, tower, or station having a service area in which a concentration of roaming events have occurred is identified. The distance of the roaming events from the antenna is determined and distance bands corresponding to that distance are plotted on a map to aid in identifying locations at which outbound roaming has occurred.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a packet network by using call detail records (CDRs) are disclosed. The method first receives at least one call detail record (CDR) at a completion of a call from at least one voice gateway router that serviced said call and analyzes said at least one CDR. The method then monitors at least one performance parameter in accordance with said at least one CDR.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a network service provider to monitor a packet network by using call detail records (CDRs) are disclosed. The method first detects a termination of a call by at least one voice gateway router and generates a call detail record (CDR) at said termination of said call by said at least one voice gateway router. The method then forwards said call detail record by said at least one voice gateway router to at least one CDR collecting and analysis server.

Abstract: It is determined whether a call-connection condition set to a call-connection device is a first call-connection state or a second call-connection state. When the determination result shows that the first call-connection state is set, a call is connected from an originating terminal to a destination terminal. When the determination result shows that the second call-connection state is set, the call is connected from the originating terminal to the destination terminal and conversation-termination processing is performed without waiting for a disconnection request transmitted from the originating terminal or the destination terminal.

Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.

Abstract: A method of administering a priority service is provided in a telecommunications network (20). The priority service provides higher priority handling of calls employing the service as compared to calls not employing the service for purposes of call completion. The method includes: obtaining at least one authentication credential from a user placing a call over the network (20); verifying a validity of the obtained credential; designating the call for priority handling if the credential is valid, otherwise designating the call for non-priority handling if the credential is invalid; and, attempting to complete the call over the network (20) in accordance with the designated handling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating a composite data source having a common data representation from disparate sources of voice data. Data transmission links are established to heterogeneous messaging data sources, requests for voice data is sent using data access protocols, the voice data is received, and a set of voice data transformation rules are selectively applied to the voice data to transform the data into a common data representation. The common data representation can also be used as a source for reporting and graphical displays to monitor the operational aspects of the sources of voice data.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and computer-readable media for generating distance bands on a map to identify areas of outbound roaming on a wireless network are disclosed. A roaming-network event record listing roaming events for subscribers of a home network is received. A home-network event record listing network events on a home network is also received. The two records are correlated to identify roaming events and network events having matching caller identifiers and time stamps within a predetermined range. Location data of a network event is adopted as location data for a matching roaming event. A home-network wireless-communications antenna having a service area in which a concentration of roaming events have occurred is identified. The distance of the roaming events from the antenna is determined and distance bands corresponding to that distance are plotted on a map to aid in identifying locations at which outbound roaming has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscribers of a VoIP service provider to take advantage of wholesale arrangements made by the VoIP service provider with one or more international partner carrier network providers to one or more international countries are disclosed. Specifically, the present method enables a VoIP service provider to display a web page to their subscribers, for each destination country, with one or more international partner network providers and their corresponding calling rates and/or call completion success rates to each particular destination country.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating a composite data source having a common data representation from disparate sources of voice data. Data transmission links are established to heterogeneous messaging data sources, requests for voice data is sent using data access protocols, the voice data is received, and a set of voice data transformation rules are selectively applied to the voice data to transform the data into a common data representation. The common data representation can also be used as a source for reporting and graphical displays to monitor the operational aspects of the sources of voice data.

Abstract: The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.

Abstract: A technique for near real-time reporting of telephone number usage to a computer is disclosed. According to the technique, signaling protocol data is collected for telephone calls that involve telephone numbers associated with the user. The signaling protocol data is decoded and call information records (CIRs) are generated from the decoded signaling data. The CIRs contain information about calls associated with the telephone numbers. The CIRs are used to generate a report which is made available to the user.

Abstract: A method employs call detail records for developing a report on the usage of VoIP calling along a network path or through a network location. By utilizing, for example, a call-beginning record and a call-ending record for each connection, a report is created of the number of concurrent VoIP calls that a specified equipment or network path carries at any given instance by retrieving batches of stored call detail records, culling the records that are relevant to the specified equipment or network path, considering the culled records in a time sorted manner, and incrementing or decrementing a counter based on whether a considered record is a call-beginning record or a call-ending record, respectively. The state of the counter is reported, illustratively, as a line entry each time the counter's state is modified.

Abstract: A network includes a space chattering mechanism for maximizing server throughput under overload conditions. The server provides control messages to various network traffic sources, which can require differing control instructions.

Abstract: A network includes a space chattering mechanism for maximizing server throughput under overload conditions. The server provides control messages to various network traffic sources, which can require differing control instructions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to assessing the viability of a business entity based on statistics concerning information assistance calls requesting the listing of the same. The invention is premised upon a perceived correlation between the number of calls requesting a business entity's listing and the callers' interest in its products or services, which in turn correlates to sales of the business entity. In accordance with the invention, data is collected and analyzed which concerns information assistance calls requesting listings of different business entities which may belong to the same industry or company to measure their comparative performance. In an illustrative embodiment, the performance measure of the business entity (department) may be compared with those of other business entities (departments) in the same geographic area belonging to the same industry to gain insights into the competitiveness of the business entity in that area.

Abstract: A method employs call detail records for developing a report on the usage of VoIP calling along a network path or through a network location. By utilizing, for example, a call-beginning record and a call-ending record for each connection, a report is created of the number of concurrent VoIP calls that a specified equipment or network path carries at any given instance by retrieving batches of stored call detail records, culling the records that are relevant to the specified equipment or network path, considering the culled records in a time sorted manner, and incrementing or decrementing a counter based on whether a considered record is a call-beginning record or a call-ending record, respectively. The state of the counter is reported, illustratively, as a line entry each time the counter's state is modified.

Abstract: A method for assessing the quality of service of telephone calls on a trunk includes identifying and counting telephone call sequences including a plurality of telephone calls placed on the trunk. Each of the telephone calls in the sequence has the same originating telephone number and the same destination telephone number and a start time and a stop time and an elapsed time between the stop time of a telephone call and the start time of the next telephone call in a sequence being less than a predetermined amount. Identifying and counting unanswered reattempted telephone calls or answered reattempted telephone calls. A ratio is calculated between the number of identified unanswered or answered reattempted telephone calls to the number of identified telephone call sequences, such that the ratio provides a measure of the quality of service of telephone calls on the trunk.

Abstract: A network includes a space chattering mechanism for maximizing server throughput under overload conditions. The server provides control messages to various network traffic sources, which can require differing control instructions.

Abstract: A service switching point counts the number of pending queries sent to a service control point and awaiting a response. When the counted number reaches a threshold, further call attempts are rejected. This prevents the load on the service control point from becoming excessive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a traffic measurement in a telecommunication network is disclosed, wherein a real-time traffic intensity measurement is based on a total reservation time calculation of an object, each time the traffic state of the object is changed. The object can be any circuit of a circuit group and the state change can be a circuit reservation or release. Since the total reservation time is calculated at any state change of the object, state changes are considered regardless of the actual reporting time. Thus, exact and real-time traffic intensity values can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for parity analysis and remedy calculation is provided. The method uses performance measurements that measure the timeliness, accuracy and availability of the services provided by an incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) to determine whether parity exists between services provided to the ILEC and services provided to a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”). The performance measurements are compared at an appropriate level so that a like-to-like comparison is made. The difference between the average of the ILEC performance measurements and the average of the CLEC performance measurements is computed. An aggregate difference measurement is also computed and is used to determine whether parity exists. If parity does not exist, then a remedy is calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides for the management of high telecommunications traffic volume within a switching exchange, or between exchanges, includes a timer, which measures switching exchange resource use time, and a timer reduction unit, which is used to intelligently adjust the value of the timer responsive to predetermined conditions, which can be switching exchange loading conditions, such as a number of calls simultaneously active or a number of occupied resources; a timing condition, such as the time of day; or an event, such as connection pathway repairs, a remote exchange loading condition, remote timing condition, or other activity. The invention includes a method of operating a switching exchange which includes sensing an existing condition within the exchange and comparing it to a predetermined condition, and reducing the time-out value of a timer within the exchange if the existing condition and predetermined condition are equivalent.

Abstract: A service of a telecommunication system which is delivered upon receiving of a communication request (REQ) of an originating user (A). The communication request (REQ) is generated at a first terminal (T1-A1) of the originating user (A) and includes an identification of a terminating user (B). The service includes the steps of retrieving and comparing a request profile of the originating user and a reachability profile of the terminating user. Following the results of the comparing the service can further include any or both of the steps of: a) according to a result of the comparing, establishing a communication between a second terminal (T2-A) of the originating user and first terminal (T2-B) of the terminating user; and b) generating and providing information of the result to a third terminal (T1-A) of the originating user.

Abstract: Access is granted to a portion of a computing system, such as to a configuration menu of a telephone system. In order to grant access, a password is received from a user. A variable password is also calculated. The variable password varies with time. For example, the variable password varies with a current date and with a time of day stored by the computing system. The password received from the user is compared with the calculated variable password. When the password received from the user is equal to the calculated variable password, access is granted.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring state of traffic in a telecommunication network by calculating ABR based upon BID and ANS per unit time in the network. This apparatus includes a model generation unit for receiving sampled data for generating models, the sampled data being constituted by a set of pairs of BID and ANS per unit time when the network is normal, and for calculating an average connection ratio when the network is normal based upon the sampled data, a calculation unit for calculating log-likelihood at a single point under hypothesizes of normality and degradation of the network based upon time series BID and ANS and upon the average connection ratio calculated by the model generation unit, and a detection unit for detecting whether state of traffic in the network is normal or degraded based upon time series log-likelihood of under hypothesizes of normality and degradation calculated by the calculation unit.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing phone calls in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), in order to identify Data Service Providers (as distinct from conventional telephone users). The system includes monitoring mechanism disposed at a first location (such as a central office or STP) for monitoring call routing messages directed to the first switch. A generating mechanism, responsive to the monitoring mechanism, is configured to generate a call record, which includes a plurality of call defining elements. An updating mechanism is configured to update a plurality of call records stored at a storage location with the call defining elements of the generated call record. Finally, an analyzing mechanism is provided and configured to analyze at least one of the call defining elements of the plurality of call records to identify Data Service Providers.

Abstract: It is proposed that in a telecommunications network (KN) for control of mass callings to subscribers of the telecommunications network (KN) with exchanges (VST1, . . . , VST7), each of which has a control means (SM1), to perform measurements to detect a mass calling to a subscriber exclusively in those exchanges (VST1, . . . , VST5) of the telecommunications network (KN) to which a subscriber, who is the possible target of such a mass calling, is connected. The exchange (VST1) which detects the mass calling signals its occurrence to respective predetermined further exchanges (VST2, . . . , VST5, VST7) in the telecommunications network (KN). Each of the predetermined further exchanges (VST2, . . . , VST5, VST7) and the exchange (VST1) which detects the mass calling, chokes the traffic to this subscriber at a rate that is fixed for the respective predetermined further exchange.

Abstract: A method and equipment for monitoring the condition of an interconnecting interfaces, in which counters, specific to each interconnection interface are provided. Each counter is preset to a predetermined initial value, which is changed on the basis of the result of a monitoring cycle and at predetermined intervals. An alarm is given if the counter reaches or crosses a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Virtual dedicated access of telecommunication subscribers (12, 14 and 16) to an inter-exchange carrier (IXC) (20) is provided by way of an intelligent local End Office switch (180) that routes calls either to the IXC or to a local End Office switch (18). The intelligent local End Office switch (180) advantageously serves to perform inter-exchange processing of calls, as required, for calls that originate with, or terminate at, a customer rather than automatically route calls to the IXC for such inter-exchange processing, as was previously required.

Abstract: A method for implementing all blocking controls in a telecommunications system supporting ported directory numbers comprises initializing each switch with a call blocking control. In the preferred embodiment, ported directory numbers are identified, and a number portability data base is accessed to aid in determining whether the call blocking control applies to the ported directory number. If the ported directory number is not subject to the implemented call blocking control, the ported directory number is exempted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and gate arrangement for controlling traffic in a telecommunications system. The rate of occurrence of the units, such as calls, transmitted is restricted to a certain predetermined threshold value when their rate of occurrence exceeds the value. In order that it might be possible to better approximate an ideally operating gapping gate, when a new call arrives, an average value of the interval between two consecutive calls is computed on the basis of the earlier accepted calls only, and the call is accepted, if the average value computed is at least the same as the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system for service control and operations for a telecommunications network. In particular, an architecture and method for a service control and operations element system. The system communicates with a plurality of interconnected telecommunications network elements via a switching and signaling subsystem. The system provides and controls the functions of the telecommunications network, including a method of measuring delay between the time a customer dials a phone number of a called party and the time the customer hears a ringback tone indicating that the called party was alerted to the call, a method of synchronizing clocks located at individual network elements with a centralized time source, and a method of time-of-day clock surveillance.

Abstract: A system for, and method of operation of, estimating a blocking probability for at least a portion of a network and a model of the same are provided. The blocking probability represents a likelihood that a transmitted signal will arrive at least at the portion of the network. The system includes an estimator controller and a processing controller. The estimator controller derives both a direct and an indirect estimator. The direct controller is derived as a function of a number of losses and arrivals occurring with respect to at least the portion of the network during a period of time, and the indirect estimator is derived as a function of an offered load with respect to at least the portion of the network during the period of time. The processing controller, that is associated with the estimator controller, applies a weighting factor to the direct and indirect estimators to derive the blocking probability. The weighting factor minimizes variance of combined estimates.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for monitoring the performance of a multi-line automated telephone system and detecting complete or intermittent faults on the incoming phone lines and in interactive applications accessed by the automated telephone device. The system gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with each incoming phone line and compares the parameters with those of other phone lines and with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance lines. The system also gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with the execution of various applications and compares the parameters with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance accesses to the applications.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring the activity of a subscriber line to determine the adequacy of the current service and service options. Central to the method is determining the number of missed calls and attempted calls to the line in a given time period. A missed call is defined as a call which is not received due to the line being busy or unattended. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring the subscriber line for activity; determining the number of attempted calls to the line in a period of time; determining the number of missed calls to the line in the period of time; and generating a missed calls percentage which can be presented to the subscriber to show the inadequacy of the current level of subscriber service.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling traffic in selected links of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the use of variable price incentives. The number of selected PSTN links which are available for use are determined at a predetermined time through the use of an appropriate traffic measurement system. Thereafter, a customer usage rate is determined for the selected PSTN links. The determined rate corresponds to the number of selected links which are available for use. An electrical signal is generated for receipt by the user and which contains information corresponding to the determined customer usage rate.

Abstract: In a load control system having n types of processes provided for processing requests of an identical type, a load processing unit executes one of m types of processes among the n types of processes in response to one of the processing requests where n and m are respectively integers equal to or larger than 1 and m is equal to or smaller than n. A monitor unit periodically monitors a load of the load processing unit and selects the m types of processes from among the n types of processes on the basis of the load of the load processing unit. An execution ratio calculation unit determines execution ratios of the m types of processes so that the load of the load processing unit is equal to or lower than a first reference value and an execution ratio of at least one of the types of processes is equal to or higher than a second reference value. The load processing unit executes the m types of processes in response to the processing requests with the execution ratios of the m types of processes.

Abstract: A telephone system adapted to provide preselected customer traffic data to preselected customers having customer facilities. The central office switch of the central office serving the preselected customers is adapted accumulate and identify preselected customer traffic data of customer facilities similarly to company traffic data of company facilities. The customer traffic data is accessed with the company traffic data by an Engineering and Administration Data Acquisition System of the telephone system which is adapted to transmit the preselected customer traffic data to a Network Usage Information Service processor associated with the central office serving the preselected customers. The Network Usage Information Service processor then transmits the received preselected customer traffic data to the corresponding preselected customers over the telephone system.