Abstract: A telecommunications network (1) includes a signal transfer point (10) that receives an initial address message from a service switching point (12). The signal transfer point (10) determines whether a Forward Call Identifier (FCI) “m” bit has been set indicating that a local number portability (LNP) query has been performed. If the FCI “m” bit has been set, then the signal transfer point (10) performs normal call processing. If the FCI “m” bit is not set, the signal transfer point (10) will set the FCI “m” bit to one prior to performing normal processing if a database interrogation is not activated. If database interrogation is activated, the signal transfer point (10) interrogates a LNP database 24 to determine whether the dialed subscriber has been ported and/or resides in a receiving network.

Abstract: A computerized method of preserving stable calls during a split mode operation of telecommunications equipment includes the steps of sending a call block update message from a first side of the telecommunications equipment to a second side of the telecommunications equipment. The call block update message includes dynamic call state data on the stable call handled by the first side and stored in a call block file in the first side of the telecommunications equipment. The method includes sending a call block update acknowledgement message from the second side of the telecommunications equipment to the first side of the telecommunications equipment in response to receiving the call block update message. The above steps are repeated until all dynamic call state data in the call block file is duplicated and sent to the second side.

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.

Abstract: Method and system for operating a team configuration in an arrangement formed of a number of telecommunications devices, with the telecommunications devices communicating with one another with equal priority, wherein a real or an imaginary instance exists, in addition to the process instances provided for normal telecommunications operation, for each subscriber in each telecommunications device.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for capturing call processing failures in a telecommunication system occurring at a telecommunication switch control processor as the failures occur. The system includes a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication system. The computing system includes one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions; a memory associated with the computing system for storing the instructions; a storage device adapted for communicating with the computing system for storing data; and a communication device associated with the computing system for establishing a communication link between the computing system and the telecommunication system.

Abstract: A next generation service node (NGSN) for providing advanced interactive voice response (IVR) services within a telecommunications network. The NGSN includes intelligent peripherals implemented as network audio servers, and application servers which execute customer application files to perform IVR services. The NGSN provides reliability through redundancy of application servers, including automatic application server failover within a node, and automatic node failover between NGSNs. The NGSN features include modular software and hardware architecture with internal function encapsulation. This allows multiple vendors products to be used and provides a common signaling interface to be used to any switch network. Other NGSN features include an open systems architecture with improved scaleability and increased application processing capability.

Abstract: A method and routing system for the dynamic routing of traffic in a communication network wherein the dynamic alternate routing is adapted to the traffic load respectively present in the network in such a way that the network throughput is optimized. The alternate routing includes a dynamic path fan with alternative paths, during whose (re-) initialization the chronological sequence by which the alternative paths were removed from the path fan is taken into account.

Abstract: A generic interface is provided for interfacing multiple client application programs with multiple network devices. The client application programs may differ from each other and may include application programs for performing a network restoration, network maintenance, and network administration. The network devices may be of different device types. The interface converts communications between the client application programs and the network devices so that the communications are compatible with the requirements of the destination. The interface may include added functionality, such as an automatic auditing mechanism and a data link manager mechanism.

Abstract: A method for permitting transparent handling of signal messages and voice information of a subscriber to a desired network operator through at least one local exchange of a network operator physically allocated to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method of routing incoming telephone calls and programming routing options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be routed according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.

Abstract: To provide secure communications to a PBX (20,22) the PBX is connected to two different local exchanges of the PSTN. On recognising a telephone number designating calls to the PBX service switching points (2) apply to service control points (8) for route translations. The SCP (8) directs calls though the network alternately to network connections on one DLE (say 1c) and then to the other DLE (1b). In the event of a predetermined number of call failure on one of the route all subsequent calls are directed to the other route until a predetermined number of call failures occur on the other route where upon consecutive calls are again offered alternately.

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: Emergency services calls may be alternate-routed in an intelligent network having at least one Service Control Point (SCP) with access to a routing table, a plurality of Service Switching Points (SSP) equipped with point-in-call triggers and one or more emergency services stations (PSAP). The routing table lists a routing number for each of the emergency services stations. The alternate routing involves presetting a point-in-call trigger at a Service Switching Point to operate at a predetermined point in a call for emergency services. During subsequent processing of an emergency services call, the trigger interrupts processing of the call and and prompts transmission to the SCP of a query signalling message requesting routing information.

Abstract: A system and method for Enhanced Overflow Call Processing redirects calls which cannot be completed to alternate terminations. An originating switch queries a network database for an alternate termination for the call each time the originating switch detects that the call cannot be completed to the current termination. The network database determines the alternate termination for each query using a hierarchical set of multi-branch overflow statements which are configured by the user. A set of overflow statements is selected by the network database based on the original termination of the call. The set of overflow statements is searched hierarchically until an active overflow statement is found. This overflow statement then controls all queries relating to that call. The reason the call was not completed is used to select either an alternate termination to which the call is to be routed or a particular treatment, such as a busy signal or network message, which is to be applied to the call.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of establishing a connection between a calling subscriber (A) and a called subscriber (B) as well as to an exchange (EX1) and a communications network for carrying out the method. To establish the connection, a connection request is routed from a terminal (TE1) of the calling subscriber (A) to the exchange (EX1) of the communications network. To determine the route to the called subscriber (B), the exchange (EX1) accesses a central first control unit (SCP) common to two or more exchanges which executes a first routing procedure and communicates the result to the exchange (EX1). The exchange (EX1) monitors the central first control unit (SCP) or the connection to the central first control unit (SCP) for failures. When it detects such a failure, it accesses a second control unit (PROZ2) in the exchange (EX1) which executes an alternative second routing procedure instead of the first routing procedure.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an alternate common channel signaling system path. The alternative signaling path that does not rely on the same hardware or software that is used for a primary signaling path. The alternative signal path allows network devices on a local area network to be signaled when a primary signaling path to the local area network has failed. The alternative signaling paths may provide better fault tolerance for connecting local area networks to other external networks.