Abstract: The invention is a communications system that provides communications services to an end-user. The system includes a residential hub that is connected to the communications system over a DSL connection. The residential hub converts voice traffic to ATM for transmission over the DSL connection. The communications system includes broadband networks and a service node to facilitate communications services for the end-user.

Abstract: A method of accessing an external system from a network without entering a password to enter the external system. The method includes the steps of a user gains access to a network and creating a unique dynamic address associated with the user for the period of time upon which the user first gains access to the network to the time the user signs off of the network. Relaying the unique dynamic address to an external system and the user gains access to the external system based on the unique dynamic address and without entering a password associated with the external system.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates control messages that identify the selection and transfers the control messages to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the control messages.

Abstract: The present invention is a SONET system for use in large geographic areas, such as areas encompassed by an IXC network, or which are larger than a LATA or a metropolitan area. The system uses self-healing rings which are interconnected. Some of the rings are stacked within the same physical routes in order to minimize the number of ring terminals on each ring.

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 invention is a method and system for processing POTS numbers in an SCP. A telecommunications switch receives the call and a set-up message for the call. The telecommunications switch then transmits a message to the SCP for the call. In response to the message, the SCP processes a POTS number to select a telecommunications switch and a connection for the call. The SCP then transmits a message to the switch that identifies the selected telecommunications switch and the selected connection. The telecommunications switch then extends the call in response to the message from the SCP. The telecommunications switch does not need to translate the POTS number or a Location Routing Number to extend the call.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates control messages that identify the selection and transfers the control messages to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the control messages.

Abstract: The invention is an ATM transport system that transports user information from a continuous signal transport system. The ATM transport system uses telecommunications signaling associated with the continuous signals to determine if the continuous signals are transporting any user information. If so, ATM cells containing user information are generated and transmitted, but if not ATM cells are not generated and transmitted. The invention includes an ATM interworking multiplexer and in some embodiments, a processor.

Abstract: A method and system provides connections to an ATM system and includes selective echo cancellation. The system includes two interworking units, an echo canceller, and a signaling processor. The signaling processor receives and processes signaling to provide connection control instructions to the interworking units. The first interworking unit will accept a connection, and if the connection does not require echo cancellation, interwork the incoming connection with an ATM connection to the ATM system. If the incoming connection requires echo cancellation, the first interworking unit will interwork the incoming connection with an ATM connection to the second interworking unit. The second interworking unit will interwork the ATM connection with another connection to echo cancellation. After echo cancellation, the second interworking unit will interwork the connection from echo cancellation with another ATM connection to the ATM system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for aggregating customer information for a telecommunications system. Call information is received from the network and integrated with customer information which is stored in network databases. The customer information includes indicators which signify that particular customer applications that should be applied. One application can identify patterns of network usage, including the called number which receives a customer's largest volume of traffic, and applying a discount to all of the customer's calls that fit within the pattern. The network's processing system takes the integrated information and applies the indicated customer application at a call level. This process results in aggregated customer information.

Abstract: An ATM reference traffic system records packet information representative of ATM packets transmitted over an ATM network. The system also creates and transmits ATM packets from packet information on a schedule representative of ATM packet transmission over an ATM network. The preferred system uses a personal computer with the operating system modified to schedule events with microsecond resolution while providing interrupts to the operating system on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A product planning system uses a server (12) for storing centralized data accessible by remote stations (14). The system provides for uniform product planning. throughout an organization while ensuring thoroughness, control, and rapid implementation, and includes the planning chapters of idea assessment, opportunity assessment, business plan, implementation planning and product launch implemented by performing associated tasks customized according to the product.

Abstract: The invention comprises a telecommunications signaling processor that processes Signaling System #7 (SS7) telecommunications signaling messages to select Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) virtual connections and provide control messages indicating the selected ATM virtual connections.

Abstract: The invention is a system for modifying the VPI/VCIs in ATM cells transferred between two ATM systems on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for the call and selects a new VPI/VCI for the call. The signaling processor generates a control message that identifies the old and new VPI/VCIs and transfers the control message to an ATM gateway. The ATM gateway modifies the old VPI/VCI in the ATM cells to the new VPI/VCI.

Abstract: The invention is a system for interfacing a GR-303 system with a broadband system. The broadband system can be an ATM system. The invention can process the GR-303 signaling to select ATM connections and then interwork the GR-303 connections with the selected ATM connections. The invention can interwork GR-303 signaling and SS7 signaling. The invention can also process SS7 signaling to select GR-303 connections and then interwork ATM connections with the selected GR-303 connections.

Abstract: The invention is a method for transporting a voice band signal with channel-associated signaling over an ATM system. The method comprises converting the signal into ATM cells so that the sequence numbers in the cells correspond to the location of the signaling in the cells. After transmission over the ATM system, the ATM cells are converted back into the signal using the sequence numbers in the cells to locate the signaling in the cells. The convergence sublayer indication bit of a segmentation and reassembly protocol data unit header of an ATM adaption layer 1 ATM cell can be used as a portion of the sequence numbers so that the sequence numbers can use a repeating 12-count sequence.

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: A system and method for conversion and transmission of communication signals converts and grooms communication signals in the synchronous digital hierarchy and synchronous optical network formats at low multiplexing levels. In one embodiment, the system receives tributaries from a primary receiver and multiplexes them so as to embed in a payload the tributaries and lower order path overhead as payload components. The payload is converted to a synchronous optical network format and transmitted in a communication signal. However, the payload components remain in the synchronous digital hierarchy format. A converter assembly receives the communication signal and converts and grooms the payload at a virtual tributary group level to a synchronous digital hierarchy format without changing the payload components embedded therein. The converter assembly delivers the communication signal to a receiver where the payload components can be removed from the payload and delivered to a primary receiver.

Abstract: A system to interworking a call between a plurality of networks having different formats. The system has a GR-303 system, an integrated services digital network system, a service platform, and an asynchronous transfer mode system. The system has a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling and to process the call signaling to select a connection to one of the GR-303 system, the integrated services digital network system, the service platform, or the asynchronous transfer mode system. The signaling processor thereby selects the corresponding system on the connection. The signaling processor transports a control message identifying the selected connection. An interworking unit receives the user communications and the control message. The interworking unit converts the user communications from the format in which it was received to the format that is compatible with the selected system. The user communications are then transported on the selected connection.