Abstract: The invention is a tandem system for providing a tandem connection for circuit-based traffic. This tandem system comprises an ATM cross-connect, ATM interworking multiplexers, and a signaling processor. The multiplexer converts the traffic received by the tandem system into ATM where it is routed through the cross-connect and re-converted back into the circuit-based format at an ATM interworking multiplexer. The signaling processor controls the virtual connections and out going circuit-based connections used by the multiplexers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for implementing interactive toll-free telephone services by customers remotely communicating with a telephone service provider. The interactive toll-free telephone service can be designed by the customer and implemented by the telephone service provider without the immediate assistance of a salesperson. The methods/systems can be implemented over, e.g., the Internet, an intranet, or through a voice recognition system using the telephone.

Abstract: A multi-services communications device provides internal control over communications, so that computer control input is not required. Communications performance is improved, especially for real time communications such as telephone conversations, because the multi-services communications device does not wait on late or failed control input from the computer. The multi-services communications device is comprised of a communications processing system connected to a network interface, telephone interface, video interface, and computer interface. The communications processing system controls: 1) the exchange of telephone signals with a telephone connection, 2) the exchange of video signals with a video connection, 3) the exchange of data with a computer connection, and 4) the exchange of the data, video signals, and voice signals with a network connection.

Abstract: A billing system and method particularly well suited for use in telephony networks accounts for usage of standard network services, such as voice and data communication, and third-party services, such as paging and voicemail services, supportable by the network. Customer usage of network equipment and third-party equipment is also accounted for by such a telephony network billing system. Network and third-party usage and equipment charges incurred by a customer are advantageously integrated by the billing system into a single customer invoice.

Abstract: A system and method to detect a call trigger during a call without requiring a service platform to remain connected to the call. A first communication device transmits a call having call signaling and user communications. A signaling processor receives the call signaling from the first communication device and selects a connection to a second communication device. An interworking unit receives the user communications from the first communication device and converts the user communications from a time division multiplex format to asynchronous transfer mode cells that identify a selected connection to the second communication device and transports the user communications to the second communication device. The interworking unit detects a call trigger in the user communications. The interworking unit transmits call trigger data to the signaling processor.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for converting point codes in a signal transfer point in a telecommunications signaling system. The STP converts point codes which designate the origination and destination signaling points for the message. The conversion is based on information defined by the messages, such as origination or destination information. The present invention creates a virtual signaling system which can be reconfigured at the STP by converting point codes, and thus, altering the identities of the signaling points. The present invention is also operable to convert circuit identification codes and transfer integrated services user part messages to a user part.

Abstract: The invention is a provider agent product and method that operates as a software interface between a telephony card and a session manager in an advanced communications network. The provider agent receives event messages from the telephony card indicating on-hook events, off-hook events, and digit events. The provider agent instructs the telephony card to provide dial tone, ring current, ringback, and busy signals to the telephones. The provider agent also exchanges messages with a session manager in the network. These messages include: invite messages, reply messages, join messages, and terminate messages. In response to the above processing, the provider agent instructs the telephony card to interwork telephony signals on a telephony channel with ATM signals on an ATM virtual channel. The provider agent is comprised of a plurality of software objects that are stored on a software storage medium and that include: a controller object, port objects, and event objects.

Abstract: When telephone calls are placed by dialing a special number such as an “800” number, the dialed number is converted to a specially configured translation number that includes a destination output set of digits which are preferably the last four digits of the dialed number. This translation number is transported over the network from an originating switch to a terminating switch which then outputs the output set to the destination. Advantageously, the terminating switch also replaces the prefix portion of the translation number with an output prefix consisting of at least the NXX portion of the dialed number and outputs this prefix along with the output set to the destination for use in call tracking.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection and prevention of calling card fraud is disclosed. The invention provides enhanced intelligence and efficiency in part applying by a fraud analysis associated with a calling card bill type or service provider as identified by originating partitions in network switches. Additionally, the invention incorporates a case-subcase arrangement of fraud analysis information and conducts fraud analysis on a case-by-case basis, thereby providing streamlined handling of suspected fraud. Still additionally, the invention includes an administrative monitor that continuously collects and reviews fraud system status information to detect abnormalities in the system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for processing telecommunications signaling. Signaling for a call is received into a signaling processor. The signaling processor processes the call and generates new signaling incorporating the processing. The new signaling is transferred to network elements as appropriate. The signaling processor is not coupled to a switch matrix and only communicates with the network elements over signaling links.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a call having call signaling and voiceband user communications through an asynchronous transfer mode system identifies when compression, encryption, or another processing option has been applied to the voiceband user communications. A first signaling processor processes the call signaling to identify a selected first connection and a processing option, such as a compression method, to be applied to the voiceband user communications. The first signaling processor transports a control message to a first interworking unit identifying the selected connection and the selected compression method. The first interworking unit compresses the voiceband user communications with the selected compression method, sets a convergence sublayer indicator bit as an indicator in an asynchronous transfer mode cell, fills the cell with the compressed voiceband user communications, and transports the cell over the selected connection.

Abstract: A method and system of providing network based transcription of free-form speech signals. A speech signal is recorded as a digital audio file in a storage medium and is then streamed over a data network to a client terminal for transcription. As the speech signal arrives, it is buffered in memory at the client terminal while a streaming player application plays the signal to a transcriptionist. The transcriptionist then conveniently listens to and transcribes the speech signal as it is being played. The invention advantageously avoids the need to physically transfer and download the full digital audio to a transcriptionist computer or to transport physical storage media, such as tapes or CD-ROM from the place of recording to the place where the recorded voice signals will be transcribed.

Abstract: The invention is an ATM system to route DS0 traffic from T1 Extended Superframe (ESF) or Superframne (SF) systems that use robbed bit signaling. The invention is able to route the call selecting the ATM VPI/VCI that routes the call within the ATM system. DS0s with robbed bit signaling are transported transparently by the ATM system.

Abstract: The invention is a test system that gives the user a single point of control to generate calls and run tests on a switching system for use in a communications network. The test system is capable of generating calls through a tandem switching system without using a local access switch. The test system is operationally coupled to the switching system by a signaling link and a call connection. The test system receives a first user request to generate a call. The test system transfers signaling to the switching system over the signaling link to cause the switching system to extend the call connection. The test system receives a second user request to run a test, and applies the test to the call connection. In some embodiments, the test system includes a web server that interfaces with a web browser operated by the user. The web server transfers information for screen displays to the web browser. The web server collects user requests from the web browser to generate calls and run tests.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for processing connections. Connection identifiers are assigned to indexes and stored in corresponding index latches. When communications arrive over a particular connection, the identifier for the particular connection is provided to all of the index latches. The index latch that stores a matching connection identifier provides its associated index. The index can be used to access a memory location that houses a processing instruction for the particular connection. The invention can be used within ATM multiplexers and gateways to facilitate connection processing.