Abstract: An integrated telecommunication collaboration system which allows the close integration of desktop computer applications, data communications, and public switched telephone network voice connections. Client software which implements the invention includes a voice agent for establishing telephone sessions, a data agent for establishing associated data sessions, a communications agent which synchronizes the date and voice agents, and an integration agent which integrates the data and voice communications with a computer operating system, and with various applications. The integrated telecommunication collaboration system controls the establishment of harmonized calls by sending and receiving various requests and status messages to and from a server, and another client.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a process for initiating a telephone call, comprises the steps, performed by a processor, of: receiving a network request identifying a telephone number and an account number; retrieving from the database a telephone number associated with the account number; and signaling a telephone switch to place a call connecting instruments corresponding to the telephone number from the request and the telephone number retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A system and method for determining telephone status over a network. The system and method provides for off hook status to be determined by a switch or other monitor that then provides that information to a telephone status file. The telephone status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a calling party can first determine if the called party is on the telephone. Thus wasted time in making calls that cannot be completed is avoided. The system operates over normal PSTN's, over cable systems, and over the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method for providing directory information with a call completion feature includes a data network server located on a data network for establishing a connection between a first communication device and a second communication device. The network server is configured to transmit a search command signal in response to a search command request and to transmit an establish-connection command signal in response to an establish-connection request, the establish-connection command signal being necessary to establish the connection between the first and second communication devices. A database is connected to the network server and is configured to transmit a first telephone number to the server in response to the search command signal. In a preferred embodiment, the establish-connection command signal is transmitted to a computer connected to the server, causing the computer to dial the first telephone number, thereby establishing the connection between the first and second communication devices.

Abstract: Content items (49) are held on Internet servers (51) with each item being locatable at a corresponding URI and having an associated identifying number (“1234567”) that can be input using a telephone keypad. A PSTN is provided with an intelligent peripheal (70) that has connectivity with the Internet (50). To access a particular content item (49), a telephone user (A) inputs a service designator code (“333”) followed by the identifying number (“1234567”) of the required content item (49). The intelligent peripheral (70) translates the input identifying number to the URI of the required item. This URI is then used by the intelligent peripheral (70) to retrieve the required content item and deliver it to the telephone user (A), typically as a speech rendition of the item.

Abstract: The invention provided a a communication method, a voice transmission apparatus and a voice reception apparatus by which, in communication through a non-guarantee type network, deterioration in voice, unnatural interruption of language, jump of voice and so forth which arise from unstable communication or a load variation can be eliminated to the utmost to allow conversation which can be recognized readily and conversation by natural voice can be achieved. Voice of a talking person is inputted through a voice to electric conversion element such as a microphone to a voice inputting and outputting element, by which the voice signal is converted into a corresponding voice data electric signal. The voice data are inputted to a speech recognition and conversion section, by which they are converted into a character code data signal by speech synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a service node between Internet networks and a telecommunications network, said node being used to order telephony services by means of HTML pages from a computer having a WWW browser. The invention also relates to a method for calling a B subscriber, in which the call is ordered from the computer but the connection is set up between the telephones of the A and B subscribers' telephones. The service node communicates with computers connected to computer networks using the HTTP protocol. The node stores data related to a subscriber; said data can be used when the user requests a telephony service. The node is centrally located, which enables the use of its services even if the user moves to another location and terminal.

Abstract: A communications system including multiple telecommunications networks having common channel signaling hardware is controlled by a hybrid or combination of common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) system with a data internetwork to link the signaling points in the telecommunications network via the new hybrid common channel interoffice switching system. Preferably the internetwork comprises the Internet. The internet is used to link signal switching points, signal transfer points, and a signal control point. The signal control point is preferably hierarchical and distributed so as to provide ample power and capacity to supply signal control for multiple telecommunications networks of related or unrelated operating companies.

Abstract: A web call center system which provides automatic access to and retrieval of data from a remote or local web host by a call center operator upon receipt of a telephone call. The web call center includes a switch (PBX), a computer workstation, a telephone, a data link, a network server, computer/telephony integration (CTI) software, a network router, and application software to process the DNIS data and access the corresponding local application or web site data. In use, a call is received by the call center PBX, which routes the voice component to a telephone at a particular workstation location and the DNIS, ANI and Destination DN components, through its data link, to an external data link which, in turn, passes them to the network server wherein CTI software resides.

Abstract: A method using an Internet or similar connection to provide network users with information about and control over a communications service feature. A communications switch routes communications in the network to and from the user and a feature control process provides the communications service feature to the user. A processor in communication with the feature control process and a user terminal provides the user with information about and control over the communications service feature at the user terminal. The process can be a dedicated Internet server and the user can manage the communications service feature from a home page displayed on the user terminal.

Abstract: A call center management system comprises a graphical user interface (GUI) adapted for modeling call center behavior, and the behavior of objects within a call center, as Petri Net directed graphs. Once developed, the Petri Net graphs can be compiled as software modules for use in CTI management of a call center. In another aspect the composed Petri Nets are assembled into high-level Petri Nets, and a Petri Net engine is employed to manage a call center. Management techniques and concepts taught are extended to network management as well.

Abstract: A system and method for providing anonymous voice communications using the telephone network under the direction of an on-line data network. A call broker receives call setup information from on-line session participants, such as chat room participants, after providing callback telephone numbers and, as appropriate, billing information. In one illustrative embodiment, a user (the call initiator) present in a chat room session establishes a data connection to a telephone company site using, e.g., an Internet web browser to establish a Call Broker session. The Call Broker then provides session information (such as a telephone company URL) and a Participant Authorization Code (PAC), which information is passed to a selected chat participant in the current chat room.

Abstract: A serial telephone adapter for connection between a telephone and a personal computer to facilitate voice over computer-based networks such as the Internet. The adapter also includes an interface to the public switched telephone network for conventional voice communications when the personal computer is shut down.

Abstract: A service provider accesses the customer premises equipment of an end user via a broad based data network such as the Internet. Security precautions are described for insuring that alias users cannot access the customer premises equipment. Advantageously, a service provider may provide service over a very wide area without incurring excessive telecommunications services charges. Advantageously, many service providers can readily access the customer premises equipment of a single end user.

Abstract: An internetwork (such as the Internet) telephony system and method incorporating architecture and methodology which facilitates a high degree of scalability. The scalability provides improvement dealing with usage recording, usage pricing, billing account management, and fraud control. The scalability is achieved primarily by bundling of usage recording, pricing, authorization and billing practices in one logical database object which may be physically distributed. A predefined set of network elements are provided access to the database object to obtain authorization for a call along with limitations on the maximum cost or duration of the call for the particular account involved. The database object records usage statistics relating to the completed call, including pricing, and this data is available for virtually immediate billing. The database object provides to customers on a virtual real time basis the customer's usage statistics, including statistics for a call in progress.

Abstract: A navigation device provided with an Internet communication means, a browser means for connecting to a specified home page according to a uniform resource locator (URL) and a memory for storing a data table of URLs of home pages established for respective objects existing in the area of a map displayed by the navigation device, which device reads a URL of a specified home-page from the memory and presents a content of the home page obtained by using the URL when the user directly designates the object or the position on a map shown on the display screen.

Abstract: Intelligent network components, systems, and methods supporting public switch telephone network users equipped with data communications devices such as personal computers. An Intelligent Data Peripheral allows the exchange of data messages between PSTN users and the Intelligent Data Peripheral under the guidance of service logic residing in intelligent network Service Control Point systems. In general, the intelligent network services involving the use of an Intelligent Data Peripheral have similar call flows to services involving the use of a traditional Intelligent Peripheral. When the PSTN call originator attempts to establish a call, the Service Switching Point (intelligent network capable switch) under the guidance of the Service Control Point system routes the call to an Intelligent Data Peripheral. Then, the call originator interacts with the Intelligent Data Peripheral.

Abstract: A call servicing system permits service agents to service customer calls over a data network. The call servicing system includes customer switches that direct calls to and from the customers, agent terminals for use by the service agents in servicing the customer calls, a network switch, a call translation unit, and an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) server. The network switch receives the customer calls and transfers the calls to the call translation unit under direction of the ACD server. The call translation unit routes the calls to selected service agents. The ACD server selects the service agents to service the calls, and controls the call translation unit to forward the calls to the agent terminals associated with the selected service agents over the data network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vending public communications services. The apparatus includes a telephone, a multimedia terminal, and a payment receiver for receiving an authorization to accept charges for enabling use of at least one of the telephone and the multimedia terminal.

Abstract: An Ethernet device power transmission system includes an input transformer, an output transformer and a pair of twisted pair conductors. The input transformer includes a pair of primaries for connection to a source of Ethernet data. The input transformer also includes a pair of secondaries, each having a center-tap. A first twisted pair conductor is connected across the first secondary, a second twisted pair conductor is connected across the second secondary and a DC-bias is provided between the respective center taps of the first and second secondaries. At the local end, the output transformer includes a first and second center-tapped primary and a first and second secondary for connection to the load device. The first and second primary center taps are connected to a power processor for extraction of DC power.

Abstract: A remote call redirection system located within a local access network which directs data traffic destined for the Internet to a channel connected directly to the Internet thereby reducing congestion within the local access network due to data traffic destined for the Internet.

Abstract: A method and a system for completing a voice connection between a first and second voice terminal in a switched telephone network (STN) are disclosed. The system includes a Virtual Switching Point (VSP) in a switched telephone network having a connection to a data network such as the Internet. Call requests are received by the VSP from the data network and processed by the VSP to establish a voice connection between a calling party which initiates the call requests and a called party number indicated in each call request message. The call request message may include a plurality of called party numbers and the VSP completes calls to each number in sequence without terminating the voice connection with the calling party, until an attempt to connect with each of the called numbers has been made or a call control option is exercised by the calling party. The call connections are established and controlled by the VSP using common channel signaling (CCS) messages.

Abstract: In a data access transport service call setup from the Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) requires efficient utilization of PSTN resources and signalling infrastructure. A system is disclosed for interworking the PSTN Common Channel Signalling System Number 7 (CCS7) and Internet Protocol (IP) based data networks call setup protocols. The system provides efficient control of network-based signalling and control resources in support of PSTN originated IP-based data calls and services interworking between IP-based networks and other telecommunications networks. An architecture is provided allowing a flexible implementation and distribution of the interworking functions, including functional distribution between an CCS7 interworking function, network controller, Network Access Server, and existing telecommunications network interfaces.

Abstract: A system for automatically storing a message comprises a first telecommunication device for transmitting and/or receiving an audio message to a second telecommunication device. Both devices are coupled through a first network for transmitting and receiving telephone calls. A first data processing system with a speaker dependent data base and a second data processing system are provided, both are coupled through a second network for data communication. The first data processing system is coupled with the first telecommunication device and the second data processing system is coupled with the second telecommunication device. At least the first data processing system has a speech recognition system, the second telecommunication device has a control unit which generates a signal after receiving the audio message from said first telecommunication device and has a compare unit.

Abstract: A multiprocessor subsystem, for a portion of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) conforming to architectural standards for advanced intelligent networks (AIN), contains processor elements for participating in management of call routing/switching processes, and other processor elements for participating in management of services provided to PSTN users and subscribers. The processors participating in call routing processes are tightly concentrated to ensure reliable control of respective processes, while the processors participating in management of user services are distributed so as to allow for virtually unlimited growth in new type services without potentially disrupting existing call traffic. This subsystem also contains processor elements having interfaces to networks external to the PSTN; e.g. data networks such as the Internet and World Wide Web, and pager networks.

Abstract: A device and method for IP telephony troubleshooting include multiple alternative input/output members for connecting the troubleshooting device to an IP telephony network at one of multiple sites within the IP telephony network. A system control connected to one of the connector members transmits and receives digital control messages to establish a bidirectional audio communications link over the IP telephony network. A system control user interface connected to the system control enables a user to direct a call to a remote telephonic device. A converter, connected to one of the connector members, converts digital audio signals received from the remote telephonic device to analog audio signals and converts analog audio signals generated by a microphone to digital audio signals for transmission to the remote telephonic device. An interface obtains synchronization with the remote telephonic device to facilitate synchronous data communication.