Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for routing a telephone call according to the geographic location of the originating party. A subscriber with multiple network locations within a service territory-may have all of their offices accessible to customers through a single publicized telephone number. The single telephone number may trigger advanced intelligent network technology. The network may ascertain the geographic location from which the call originates and accordingly, route the originating call to a subscriber's office which is located closest to the originating caller. Further, exception periods may be provided to enable subscribers to individualize their service by only routing to the closest satellite office at specified days, times, etc. The exception periods may also be employed to reroute calls intended for the closest satellite office to a predetermined location.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The incoming call is forwarded to a server, where the calling station is given an option to leave a recorded message and particulars of the call (date and time) and calling station (telephone number and caller identification) are stored in a call-back list server. The system sends an alerting message to the data terminal of the on-line subscriber, where an icon, representing calls stored in the call-back list, is displayed to the subscriber. The subscriber may review particulars of calls stored in the call-back list and may return calls while remaining on-line using Internet telephony, or by other means, such as a TAPI interface. The subscriber may also review or retrieve stored messages in the voice-mail server while remaining on-line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing real-time position information of one party to another party by utilizing a conventional telecommunication network system such as the convention telephone network, a mobile telecommunications network, a computer network, or the Internet. More specifically, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and a receiver of a telephone call to provide to and receive from each other position information related to the caller and/or receiver's physical location, including address information, GPS coordinates, nearby fixed locations such as a parking structure, etc. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and receiver to retrieve routing instructions or maps for traveling to or from each other.

Abstract: A call-forwarding system can be remotely controlled in a simple and easily understood manner, thereby increasing the usage of call-forwarding. By maintaining a registry of special telephone numbers for a user's telephone and, upon receiving a telephone call from one of the special telephone numbers, the system forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. The call-forwarding system includes a registry of special telephone numbers and a call-forwarding controller which, upon receiving a call from one of the special telephone numbers, forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. In addition, the call-forwarding controller includes a caller-ID application which identifies all incoming telephone calls and passes this information to the controller. The controller then compares the incoming call to the telephone numbers in the registry and, upon obtaining a match, activates a routine for forwarding future incoming calls to the matched telephone number.

Abstract: A method of providing for customer selection of a circuit selection algorithm for use in a public network comprises the steps of storing a plurality of circuit selection algorithms in public network memory, translating a routing number for a call into customer data, matching the customer data with a trunk block circuit selection algorithm and controlling the delivery of calls to a customer in accordance with the trunk block circuit selection algorithm. The customer may also custom design their own circuit selection algorithm and input their custom designed algorithm into public network memory along with others for selection in accordance with their customer criteria, for example, time of day or day of week, low traffic period, high traffic period or other criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a telephone subscriber line high-speed access to a computer network is described. The telephone subscriber line is provided telephone service through a network access equipment. The network access equipment includes a telephone line function interface, access control logic, a high-speed interface, and a Remote Access Server. In a described embodiment, the network access equipment also provides access to a high-speed interface connected to a Remote Access Server providing access to the computer network. The access control logic recognizes the telephone numbers of telephone lines accessing the computer network which are provided telephone service through the network access equipment. These telephone lines can be connected to a high-speed interface connected to the Remote Access Server providing access to the computer network.

Abstract: A locator that can be mounted to an outlet box of a network and connected to a peripheral device. The locator includes a first connector and a second connector that are attached to a housing. The locator also includes a circuit that can transmit a stored physical address data to the network. The stored physical address data corresponds to a physical location of the outlet box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber based on the identification of the calling party or the originating line. Generally, the present invention operates to identify a calling party or originating line and then select a routing list based on this identification. Once a routing list has been selected, the call will be routed to the destination in the routing list. More specifically, when a call is received, an inquiry is made regarding the identity of the calling party or calling line. If the identification can be determined, then an attempt to retrieve a routing list associated with this identification is made. If a routing list has been provided for the identified party or line, the routing list will be retrieved. If a routing list has not been provided for the identified party or line, a default routing list will be selected for routing the call.

Abstract: A system and method for providing calling name delivery to a voicemail service subscriber. The system and method use the features of an advanced intelligent network to provide an interface between a voicemail service and a telephone service provider's calling name databases. The present invention advantageously provides this interface using standard call processing techniques without the need to establish a direct data interface between the systems.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing and provisioning features and thereby providing feature services in a call processing environment where features may be introduced, changed or removed from outside the code base. Features are introduced or “injected” into the call processing environment using a feature registry. The feature registry is used to manage feature configuration, behavior and interactions. The code base references the feature registry to apply features during operation. In this manner, features can be implemented by reference without modification or rebuilding of the code base. Features can be added, modified or removed without requiring a system upgrade, even while the code base is in operation. The code base uses a structured framework into which features can be introduced by reference using the feature registry. A feature service manager exclusively controls the feature registry and handles provisioning of features.

Abstract: A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward_call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The subscriber sets an on-line state, the state being available-for-incoming-calls or not-available-for-incoming-calls. Once the subscriber sets the on-line state, telephone calls to the subscriber telephone number while the subscriber is on-line are processed according to the on-line state. As examples, if the state is available-for-incoming-calls, the subscriber is notified of the incoming call and the call is processed according to the subscriber's instructions. If the state is not-available-for-incoming-calls, messaging according to the subscriber's preset instructions.

Abstract: In various forms of telephone network signaling, automatic number identification information (ANI) includes a field of two or more ‘information’ (II) digits, typically used to indicate a calling line attribute, such as hospital line, residential line, payphone, etc. A number of situations have arisen where it is desirable to use these digits to control network functions and it is necessary to accurately pass the digits through with all call related signaling. For example, accurate II digits can enable appropriate processing, billing and payments for toll-free calls from payphones. Existing switch software, however, does not always provide the correct II digits or pass the digits through unchanged. In accord with the invention, a call requiring flexible ANI functionality triggers access to a central database, preferably in a service control point (SCP) or a signaling transfer point (STP).

Abstract: An interactive voice response (IVR) system collects data associated with a telephone call, and provides the data to a server. The server transforms the data into a format consistent with a different telephony platform specification implemented by clients attached to the server such that the data can be retrieved by any client to which a telephone call is transferred. Data is also shared between remote servers when calls are transferred. The servers each broadcast their identity when initially connected to a wide area network. In response, each server on the network responds with their identify. Each server updates a table of servers in accordance with the messages exchanged.

Abstract: A gateway interface device that can be provided with a buffer for temporarily storing a calling party's information which can be sent with the initial signaling message of a calling party on an IP network to establish a communication with a called party on a PSTN network. Subsequent to the receipt of the initial signaling message, and based on the calling party's stored information, the gateway interface can intercept a request for calling party information from the called party or a called party's end office. Once the request for calling party information is received by the gateway interface, the gateway interface can then generate a reply based on the calling party information stored in the buffer. Otherwise, the calling party information stored in the buffer can be removed from the buffer after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for routing a telephone call according to the geographic location of the originating party. A subscriber with multiple network locations within a service territory may have all of their offices accessible to customers through a single publicized telephone number. The single telephone number may trigger advanced intelligent network technology. The network may ascertain the geographic location from which the call originates and accordingly, route the originating call to a subscriber's office which is located closest to the originating caller. Further, exception periods may be provided to enable subscribers to individualize their service by only routing to the closest satellite office at specified days, times, etc. The exception periods may also be employed to reroute calls intended for the closest satellite office to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A representation is determined from a first portion of automated number identification information. The representation has a decreased size relative to the first portion of the automated number identification information. The representation is employed with a second portion of the automated number identification information to determine a network control point address. The network control point address stores information related to call handling. In one example, a first stage component determines the representation, and a second stage component determines the network control point address.

Abstract: A method and system for creating, reviewing and revoking, if necessary, a certificate for a client of a service provider of a communications network, wherein the client has a client private key and a client public key. The method includes the steps of establishing a communications link with the service provider through a dedicated communication channel; requesting a client certificate from the service provider; obtaining a caller-ID, including a telephone number from an operator of the dedicated communication channel; and creating the requested client certificate including the caller-ID. Preferably, the method also includes the step of verifying that the caller-ID obtained from the operator of the dedicated communication channel is the same as client identifying information provided by the client when requesting the client certificate. The certificate can be stored at a caller ID server or a client's storage.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically and seamlessly routing telephone calls across a telephone network. The system includes a telephone network interface box having a computer, a master file and client file stored in the computer. The master file is dynamically linked to the client file at routing time to produce a selected client location telephone number which is transmitted across the telephone network. In one embodiment, the system utilizes Automatic Number Identification to identify the calling party. The master file has a plurality of records having a telephone number and a spatial key and is updated frequently. The client file has a plurality of records having a spatial key and a client telephone number. Methods of generating client file records for both radius and polygon defined service areas through an automated computer process are included in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a telephone system and method that identify and announce the caller and/or the callee of an incoming telephone call. After receiving a telephone call from a caller, the telephone system answers the incoming telephone call. The identity of the caller is then determined. The telephone system prompts the caller to say his/her name. The name is recorded and repeatedly played back through a built-in speaker announcing the name of the caller to the users of the telephone. The telephone system may also ask the caller to say the name of the callee. In that case, the name of the callee is also recorded and repeatedly played back. The name of the caller and the name of the callee are both announced to the users of the telephone.

Abstract: A system and method that controls calls, such as telephone solicitations, by a calling party to a called party. A switch receives a call from the calling party and marks the call to identify it as a telephone solicitation. Such marking can be performed in various ways, such as altering a forward call indicator of an IAM message if the switch is using an ISUP procedure, or providing a station type with information digits used in multi-frequency signaling. After the call has been marked, it can then be identified by a switch serving the called party as a telephone solicitation. Once identified, the switch then analyzes a profile for the called party and determines how to complete the call. For example, if the profile indicates that the called party does not want to receive telephone solicitations, the call will not be completed to the called party, but instead will receive alternate treatment.

Abstract: A one number, multi-application, intelligent call processing system provides service benefits to a caller, a servicing location and/or a vanity number advertiser during a call, parallel to the call and/or post call in an integrated common architecture. To provide these benefits, the system utilizes Voice Response Unit (VRU) technology in conjunction with the national telecommunications network connected via Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) to a virtual telephone number database containing a nation-wide master list of telephone numbers with thousands of attribute data items associated by Spatial Key linkage to each telephone number. The process of the invention is initiated by a caller dialing a selected telephone number to request information and/or services. Based on the number dialed, a caller or network provided 10 digit telephone number and VRU prompted for and received caller input, the system retrieves the application requested data from the virtual telephone number database.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the transmission of unsolicited phone calls. The telephone number corresponding to the source of the phone call is first compared with a reject list and with an approved list to determine whether the call should be transmitted to the user. If the telephone number corresponding to the source of the phone call is not on either list, a registration procedure is carried out. Upon being successfully registered, the phone call is transmitted to the user and the source is added to the approved list.

Abstract: An ETSI standard contains a definition to the effect that the number to be transmitted to a subscriber line in a telephone exchange system to identify the other party of a call may be a number stored in the subscriber data for the other party of a number given from the other party's subscriber line. The invention relates to a procedure for the transmission of numbers to a subscriber line in accordance with the user's preferences. In other words, the invention allows the user to decide himself/herself whether the other party's number to be transmitted for presentation to the user's subscriber line is the number stored in the subscriber data for the other party, the number given from the other party's subscriber line, or both.

Abstract: A method for providing personal information which can overcome the duplication and redundancy of personal information and regional limitation, includes building a Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) information database, a personal information database, and a destination information database in a Service Control Point (SCP), to provide the personal information to CTI destination terminals in an intelligent network; transferring, by a Service Exchange Point (SSP), a calling line identification (CLI) and a dialing number (DN) to the SCP when an originating subscriber dials, retrieving a personal information and a destination information from said databases, and transferring the CLI and the retrieved personal information and destination information to the SSP; and providing, by the SSP, the CLI and the personal information to the destination terminals.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing SS7 message signaling units (MSUs) includes a network interface for copying MSUs from an SS7 signaling link or a TCP/IP signaling link. A call detail record generator communicates with the link interface to receive the copied MSUs and parse the MSUs to extract desired parameters from the MSUs. An application interface kit received commands from an application to control the flow of MSU parameters to the application in real time.

Abstract: A call-forwarding system can be remotely controlled in a simple and easily understood manner, thereby increasing the usage of call-forwarding. By maintaining a registry of special telephone numbers for a user's telephone and, upon receiving a telephone call from one of the special telephone numbers, the system forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. The call-forwarding system includes a registry of special telephone numbers and a call-forwarding controller which, upon receiving a call from one of the special telephone numbers, forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. In addition, the call-forwarding controller includes a caller-ID application which identifies all incoming telephone calls and passes this information to the controller. The controller then compares the incoming call to the telephone numbers in the registry and, upon obtaining a match, activates a routine for forwarding future incoming calls to the matched telephone number.

Abstract: A call-forwarding system can be remotely controlled in a simple and easily understood manner, thereby increasing the usage of call-forwarding. By maintaining a registry of special telephone numbers for a user's telephone and, upon receiving a telephone call from one of the special telephone numbers, the system forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. The call-forwarding system includes a registry of special telephone numbers and a call-forwarding controller which, upon receiving a call from one of the special telephone numbers, forwards calls to the one of the special telephone numbers. In addition, the call-forwarding controller includes a caller-ID application which identifies all incoming telephone calls and passes this information to the controller. The controller then compares the incoming call to the telephone numbers in the registry and, upon obtaining a match, activates a routine for forwarding future incoming calls to the matched telephone number.