Abstract: Networks, systems, and methods are disclosed for handling alternate routing scenarios for emergency calls or other special number calls, such as a 9-1-1 call. In routing an emergency call, an emergency services network identifies a primary answering point (e.g., a PSAP) to handle the emergency call. If the primary answering point is not available, then the emergency services network identifies an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call, and routes the emergency call to the alternate answering point (if available). The emergency services network also identifies alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point, and transmits the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point for processing.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium are disclosed for adjusting port usage and call duration in an interactive voice response (IVR) system based on changes in call volume. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring usage of one or more ports within an IVR system. A determination is made whether the usage of the ports exceeds a predetermined threshold for port usage. In response to determining port usage exceeds the predetermined threshold, the method adjusts one or more call flows within the IVR system to reduce call duration within the IVR system.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data corresponding to at least one endpoint device problem in a packet communications network is described. Specifically, an endpoint device detects at least one problem that pertains to the endpoint device. The endpoint device then generates data pertaining to the endpoint device problem. Lastly, the endpoint device then transmits the data detailing that endpoint device problem to the packet communications network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ad hoc cooperative routing in an IP network. Included is an emergency stand alone (ESA) system that provides a bypass to a failed TDM switch for multiple communication devices in communication with one or more TDM switches. One or more internet protocol media gateways communicate a multicast signal upon the failure of a switch. The multicast initiates Voice over IP communication between endpoints, bypassing the failed switch.

Abstract: An analog telephone adapter (ATA) comprises a dial tone generator, control logic and a packet generator. The dial tone generator generates a dial tone when the ATA is in an unregistered state. The control logic processes a dial-out request when the ATA is in the unregistered state. The control logic directs the packet generator to generate an invite packet for an emergency proxy to handle the dial-out request on behalf of the ATA when the ATA is in the unregistered state.

Abstract: A method for regulating a call placement rate (CPR) of an autodialer (AD) (100) includes: measuring a time delay between a first event and a second event; and, adjusting the CPR of the AD (100) in response to the measured time delay.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for call proceeding in an intelligent network system, which includes the following steps: receiving a service request from an exchange device; instructing the exchange device to proceed calling when a malfunction occurs at an intelligent network device. The invention also discloses an intelligent network system for call proceeding, a Service Control Point (SCP) for call proceeding, a malfunction processing apparatus.

Abstract: Multiple communication types (e.g. chat, email, voice, etc.) are integrated into a call center. Embodiments can allow a single agent to handle multiple endpoints and multiple communication types. An agent user interface allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple communications and provides information to the agent about the communications and the customer. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system also provides flexibility in transferring large amounts of historic and current data from one agent to another, and from storage to an active agent. The system also provides for “blending” of different communication types to provide a single interface to the agent.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange system includes a first telephone exchange apparatus, a second telephone exchange apparatus which is connected to the first telephone exchange apparatus via a first communication network, a computer apparatus which establishes a communication link with the first telephone exchange apparatus via the first communication network and executes a part of function regarding exchange processing by the first and the second telephone exchange apparatuses, a second communication network which connects among a plurality of telephone terminals and the first and the second telephone exchange apparatuses, a communicator which connects a telephone terminal of a request source to the first telephone exchange apparatus via the second communication network, and a controller which executes the service based on a communication result by the communicator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a local process that forms part of a first processing entity, where the first processing entity maintains a plurality of associations with a plurality of remote processes in a second processing entity, comprises receiving a failure message from a remote process indicating a fault affecting an association linking the local process with that remote process; queueing data messages destined for that remote process; controlling the transmission of an acknowledgement of the failure message so that data messages pending on the association are received at that remote process before the acknowledgment of the failure message; and initiating a traffic diversion to set up an alternate path between the first processing entity and the second processing entity for queued data messages.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for preparing for a service disruption are provided. Information relating to an activity at a target location is received. Upon receiving information relating to at least the activity at the target location, stored data related to the activity and the target location are gathered. A probability of a service disruption at the target location based on at least the stored data related to the activity and the target location is assessed and the target location is monitored. Upon detecting a change in services associated to the target location, an alert is generated.

Abstract: A method and a system for implementing backup based on session border controllers, including: a terminal device registers to a first soft switch via a first session border controller; the terminal device detects whether a failure concerning the first session border controller occurs. If a failure occurs, the terminal device registers to the first soft switch via a second session border controller; the first or the second session border controller detects whether a failure concerning the first soft switch occurs. If a failure occurs, the terminal device registers to the second soft switch. In addition, the invention further provides a corresponding system.

Abstract: Public communication networks increasingly need to provide customers with a range of communication services, from baseband voice service, to computer data communications, to high speed digital data communications for multimedia and the like. Many such services would be blocked by existing telephone network line cards, which provide coding and decoding (CODEC) between analog and digital signals and process digital signals only at a relatively low, fixed bit rate. In accord with the invention, intelligent signal detection and control added to a line card selectively bypasses the CODEC and the associated connection to a time slot limited telephone exchange. The selective bypass connection provides a connection to an alternative network functionality capable of providing higher bandwidth digital services. In the preferred embodiment, the bypass provides a connection through an adaptive digital signal processor with a programmed controller.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting variable VPA testing is disclosed. The method includes provisions to detect or measure the utilization of a trunk line and use that information to establish a level of VPA testing for that trunk line. Although a wide variety of relationships between the utilization and the amount of VPA testing conducted can be used, the relationship is preferably a generally inverse relationship, in which the amount of VPA testing conducted on a particular trunk is reduced as traffic or utilization of the trunk increases. Conversely, as traffic or utilization of the trunk deceases, the amount of testing conducted on the trunk increases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting IP route failure using a request-reply protocol, such as address resolution protocol (ARP), and for dynamically re-routing VoIP sessions in a VoIP device in response to failure of an IP route are disclosed. A plurality of IP routes are established between a first VoIP device and a second VoIP device. VoIP sessions are assigned to the IP routes. ARP is used to detect a failure of an IP route. In response to detecting a failure of at least one IP route, VoIP sessions are rerouted from the failed IP route to an alternate IP route.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a set-up of a call from a calling entity (CE201) to a called entity in a telecommunications network are described. The telecommunications network comprises a service control entity (SCE205) and a service switching entity (SSE204). The service control entity (SCE205) is adapted to perform the steps of receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication that the first call attempt failed, receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication of the further call attempt, obtaining call information related to the first call attempt, determining a call establishment procedure for the further call attempt based on the call information related to the first call attempt, sending an instruction to the service switching entity (SSE204) to continue the set-up of the further call attempt according to the call establishment procedure.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for mass call defense in a communications network, comprises detecting a mass call event, detecting a resource exhaust event related to the mass call event, where the resource exhaust event is based upon a release message indicating a call connection attempt in excess of a threshold, and releasing, upon detecting the resource exhaust event, subsequent call connection attempts to a called telephone number.

Abstract: A ring-back tone generator system receives an inbound call connection request forwarded from a phone switch (such as an MSC) that receives the inbound call connection request from a caller phone attempting to connect to a target phone (e.g., a subscriber). The ring-back tone generator system initiates generation of a first call connection on which to provide the customized ring-back tone (and/or custom video image data) to the caller phone. The ring-back tone generator system also transmits, based on receiving the inbound call connection request, an outbound call connection request to the phone switch (such as the MSC) to establish a second call connection through the phone switch to the target phone. Consequently, an MSC that normally handles such call processing now relies on the ring-back tone generator system to handle call processing and provide a custom ring-back tone service.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining independent authorization levels. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controlling element that manages operations of a virtual private network. The controlling element manages operations of a virtual private network (VPN) by validating that a call belongs to an ISDN access type of the VPN, retrieving from a look-up table a private number associated with a switch identifier, a trunk group identifier, and an Originating Station Number (OSN) corresponding to the call in response to determining that the call belongs to the ISDN access type of the VPN, and identifying a first authorization level associated with the private number. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides the ability to load balance calls in a communications network using a certain criterion, such as a user-specified call priority, or the call class of service. The method is applied when selecting a route for a new call or for re-balancing the calls across a network. When the user-specified call priority is used, the aggregated number of calls with the same priority or class of service is calculated for all possible routes the new call may use. The aggregated number of calls is then divided by the number of hops in the respective routes; the route with the smallest ratio is selected for the new call. Re-balancing is performed by re-routing the calls in such a way as to obtain a similar number of calls of the same priority, or class of service, along all possible routes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate efficient communications handoff for access terminals in a wireless network. In an aspect, a method to handoff communications in a wireless network is provided. The method includes decoding assignment messages from one or more sectors in an active set and performing an access terminal handoff based at least in part on the active set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining an authorization for a call based on an Originating Station Number (OSN) in a Primary Rate Interface (PRI) in a virtual private network (VPN) customized dialing plan. A new access type is defined enabling first authorization levels to be assigned at the level of the OSN. A service logic database at a Service Control Point stores second authorization level required to complete the call. A combination of a Switch ID (SwID) of the Service Switch Point (SSP) through which the call is being made and the Trunk Group Number (TGN) of the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) along with the OSN or range of OSNs serves as a primary key to the database. The first authorization level is compared to the second authorization level required to proceed with a call, and an action is selected based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for re-querying for routing information is disclosed. The method transmits an initial admission query to a gatekeeper or a request for routing information and receives an admission confirmation or routing information response with a destination address. The method then tries to establish a connection with the destination address. Upon reception of a call failure message including a failure cause, the method, optionally, increments a counter and transmits a re-query to the gatekeeper or other routing entity, and the re-query includes the failure cause and, optionally, a value of the query counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a signaling message to be sent in response to an emergency call, e.g., an E911 call, set up message to provide information as to whether or not the E911 call has been successfully completed are disclosed. An indicator of a failed call setup will trigger the call to be re-originated transparently to an emergency center where live operators can handle the call on a 24hours/day basis. In one embodiment, an emergency center is a call center that is operated by a network provider or a third party provider to support emergency calls when a PSAP cannot be reached by a caller for various reasons. The emergency center is capable forwarding a call to the appropriate PSAP for call termination on behalf of the E911 caller.

Abstract: An inbound traffic allocation module is configured to store, in a database, data received from a plurality of site-services, and to determine a route capacity based at least in part on the received data, data received from each of the site-services including data related to at least one of a health and a busyness of the site-service. A traffic manager module is configured to retrieve the data from the site-services and to provide the data to the inbound traffic allocation module. A service selection engine module is configured to receive a request to route a call, and to route the call to one of the site-services based at least in part on the route capacity associated with the site-service.

Abstract: A headset monitoring system includes a plurality of headsets and a base station. Each headset includes a microphone, a speaker, a transceiver, and a memory device for storing an identification code, and the base station includes a transceiver, a microprocessor, a memory device, and a user interface. The base station is configured to send and receive data to and from the headsets and is further configured to identify headsets that are not functioning properly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, emergency modes of operation for an adapter unit comprising a channel transmitter/receiver unit, a data packet transmitter/receiver unit, and a data insertion/data retrieval unit which inserts signaling data transmitted by the channel receiver unit into data packets and forwards the same to the data packet transmitter unit while retrieving signaling data from the data packets received by the data packet receiver unit and forwarding the same to the channel transmitter unit is provided. The adapter unit especially allows terminals of a branch to be connected in a fail-safe and simple manner to a central telecommunication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for optimizing routing of communications between a plurality of telephony domains. The method includes: detecting a congestion or congestion-risk phenomenon in a first telephony domain; and a phase for transmitting, in a signalling message, at least one information concerning the congestion or congestion-risk phenomenon, or congestion information, to at least a second telephony domain.

Abstract: A critical assured service that includes a network management system and an A/B switch. The A/B switch having at least four ports with a first port being connected to the network management system over a dedicated line. The A/B switch sending and receiving messages and/or signals from the network management system over the first dedicated line. The A/B switch automatically switching telephone service from a first point of presence to a second point of presence after the A/B is signaled that the first point of service is inoperable.

Abstract: The present invention is a switching system interface providing conversion between time-division multiplexed digital signals and packetized digital signals used to bypass a common control and switch matrix of a class 5 digital switch. The switching system interface includes a network interface for terminating a digital transmission facility that is part of a network architecture. In addition, the interface includes a line/trunk interface, compatible with the internal signals used to operate the line/trunk interface of the class 5 digital switching system and a switch, connected to the network interface and to the line/trunk interface, for routing data between network interfaces and line/trunk interface. The interface also converts the data between time-division multiplexed digital signals and packetized digital signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring that every path in an IP network that interconnects a pair of VoIP network elements comprises diverse network routes and is engineered with adequate bandwidth to support VoIP phone calls are disclosed. In the event that a single point of failure or inadequate bandwidth is detected between a pair of VoIP network elements, an alarm is issued and network engineers are notified to reconfigure the routes between the VoIP network element pair.

Abstract: Multiple instances of an incoming call in a unified communication system capable of communicating through multiple networks are provided to devices and/or applications associated with the called party. Upon acceptance or a global rejection of the incoming call through one of the end devices/applications, the remainder are provided a cancellation notice for the forked call request that includes information associated with which end device took the action, what type of action was taken, whether the action was based on automatic policy implementation.

Abstract: A method and system include routing telephone calls from multiple private networks via public lines and trunks in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a host switch, at which the connections would begin to run parallel. The host switch routes the telephone calls via a private trunk group to a private facility, such as an electronic tandem network (ETN) node or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. If the private trunk group is full or unavailable, the host switch routes the telephone calls over alternate private or public trunk groups and selected carriers.

Abstract: A method and system enable optimization of trunk group design in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A community of interest, including two end offices connected by a direct trunk and at least one tandem switch, is identified using out-of band signaling data collected from the PSTN. An application server interfaced to the PSTN determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period. When traffic passes through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk between the end offices experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, an exchange code associated with the traffic passing through the tandem switch is designated as a misrouted code. The misrouted code is flagged so that associated traffic is redirected through the direct trunk.

Abstract: A method and computer usable medium storing a computer program for performing failed wireless communication diagnostics are disclosed. A failed transmission condition is recognized. A cleared number communication channel is established between a telematics unit and either a service provider or a call center responsive to the received failed transmission condition. A communication device identifier is sent to the service provider. A communication parameter associated with data generated by the service provider is received at the telematics unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of combining an emergency standalone switching device with a switching system interface used to bypass the common control and switch matrix of a class 5 digital switch. The emergency standalone switching device provides call control of the switching system interface. The call control of the emergency standalone switching devices provides local and emergency calls to local subscribers.

Abstract: A phone call is selectively routed to a public switched telephone network or to a packet switched network based on a called number to which the phone call is directed. A phone call may be made as a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol call through, for example, the Internet except when a user dials an emergency number, in which case the call is made to the public switched telephone network.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a communication through an alternate carrier. The A method includes recognizing an input number upon which a call is based, assigning primary, alternate and secondary interexchange carriers responsive to the recognizing, and sequentially routing an input number from a node among primary, alternate, and secondary carriers until a connection is established.

Abstract: A private branch exchange changes the load distribution according to the use condition by a main control unit and a sub-control unit. A line card comprises a first module group normally carrying out various operations in response to an instruction of the sub-control unit, a second module group carrying out various operations in response to the sub-control unit or the main control unit, a bus arbitration circuit, and an internal module bus selecting unit having a bypass selector for bypassing the bus arbitration circuit. The main control unit predicts the load on a system at the start of the system from the information stored in the incorporated line card, and determines, considering the prediction result, whether the control is made by the sub-control unit or the main control unit, for each module of each line card.

Abstract: Congestion problems in networks are alleviated with a method that works toward insuring that unused capacity will always exist in elements of a network that are resources which are shared by a plurality of users and which, consequently, can be overloaded. In response to each request to establish a connection over a path in the network, pursuant to a predetermined algorithm the method services the request, declines to service the request, or services the request after dropping an established connection. In one embodiment, when unused capacity on the path is above a first preselected level, all requests are serviced. When unused capacity falls below a second preselected threshold, no requests are serviced. When unused capacity is between the first and second thresholds, an existing data connection is dropped if a requested connection is a voice connection and the number of existing data connections exceeds a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A method and system include routing telephone calls from multiple private networks via public lines and trunks in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a host switch, at which the connections would begin to run parallel. The host switch routes the telephone calls via a private trunk group to a private facility, such as an electronic tandem network (ETN) node or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. If the private trunk group is full or unavailable, the host switch routes the telephone calls over alternate private or public trunk groups and selected carriers.

Abstract: A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster or disaster recovery period. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes two wireless connection units, each connected between a respective private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. Each wireless connection unit preferably serves as a gateway between its respective PBX network and one or more remote communication devices. The wireless connection units replicate each others databases. In the event of a disaster that destroys or renders one of the wireless connect/PBX networks inoperable, telephone calls destined for the inoperable network are seamlessly routed to the operable wireless connect/PBX network. Since the operable wireless connection unit contains information for both networks, inbound, outbound and extension to extension calls for each network can be handled despite the disaster.

Abstract: This invention provides for a technique for selectively off-loading traffic from congested sub-regions of a network to more lightly-loaded regions by making use of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). For each network element, an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) routing is employed to provide re-routing and to identify congested links caused by re-routed trunks for each single failure. The re-routed traffic is then analyzed and alternate Label Switched Paths (LSPs) are identified for such traffic trunks so that the traffic is directed to the alternate LSPs during the single failure event.

Abstract: A next-generation network utilizes a three-tier, cascading fault approach to providing emergency stand-alone (ESA) switching in a circuit-to-packet (C2P) network. Calls that are placed to destination numbers which are connected to the same local network device are completed even when connectivity with a community network level has been interrupted, while calls that are placed to destination numbers which are connected to the same community are completed even when connectivity with a gateway media controller has been interrupted.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting variable VPA testing is disclosed. The method includes provisions to detect or measure the utilization of a trunk line and use that information to establish a level of VPA testing for that trunk line. Although a wide variety of relationships between the utilization and the amount of VPA testing conducted can be used, the relationship is preferably a generally inverse relationship, in which the amount of VPA testing conducted on a particular trunk is reduced as traffic or utilization of the trunk increases. Conversely, as traffic or utilization of the trunk deceases, the amount of testing conducted on the trunk increases.

Abstract: A method for operating a telecommunication network in exceptional situations includes defining a group of connections of the network, the connections each having a respective terminal connected thereto, the connections being dialable via individual network identification numbers. The connections are blocked for calls to be allocated to the connections. Lines leading to the connections are rerouted via a server connected to the network. The server is used to organize the calls.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ticket voucher flow control throttle MSUs that were enqueued during a signaling link failure. The throttling is performed based on a system of ticket voucher requests and grants. Communication modules seeking to send call signaling messages to outgoing signaling links issue ticket voucher requests. Grantors that are available to send the call signaling messages issue grants to the requestor. The grants may be based on the available capacity of an outbound signaling link.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for detecting and facilitating amelioration of mass call event in a telephonic network. A detector monitors call attempts to form call connections during operation of the telephonic network. When more than a selected level of call attempts are made to a particular one, or more than one, called station within a selected period, a mass call event is considered to have occurred and detection thereof is made. A notifier initiates notification of other network elements in the telephonic network, and the rate at which call connections are permitted with the called stations is limited during the duration of the mass call event.

Abstract: Dynamic adaptation of connection-oriented networks is introduced wherein, once congestion is encountered, dynamic adaptation steps may be performed. Four adaptation steps are proposed for reacting to various network congestion scenarios. It is further recommended that the steps are performed in a particular order such that the higher severity and longer sustentation of the network congestion the more strict step is performed to alleviate the network congestion. At a switch in the connection-oriented network, utilization of a trunk carried on a link connected to the switch is monitored and, if said utilization of said trunk exceeds a first threshold, a first degree of adaptation is initialized wherein use of the trunk by further connections is prevented. Subsequent degrees of adaptation are triggered when high utilization continues and surpasses higher thresholds. The subsequent degrees of adaptation involve rerouting connections that make use of the trunk.

Abstract: In private telecommunication networks offering a call completion on busy link service, if a call request cannot be completed because of congestion of a link, and if setting up the call entails an overflow to the public network, the rights of the user may not be sufficient for subsequent completion of the call. To prevent this service being offered to a user whose rights are insufficient to enable subsequent call completion, because of the overflow, costs are assigned to the various links of the private network as a function of the overflows and access to the call completion on busy link service is monitored as a function of the rights of the user and the minimum total cost of completing the requested call. This prevents users with insufficient rights being queued indefinitely waiting for the call completion on busy link service.