Abstract: In a telecommunications network operable for routing calls such as 800 calls, to a plurality of customer destinations, a system allows the customer to configure the routing of calls by entering selected call routing criteria at a computer at the customer site. Selected information representative of the call routing criteria is then transmitted to a central processor system which then composes a set of call handling statements, also called time features, which the network then compiles into an executable routing scheme for routing calls.

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: In a telecommunications network operable for routing calls such as 800 calls, to a plurality of customer destinations, a system allows the customer to configure the routing of calls by entering selected call routing criteria such as a call-routing map associated with a time frame for implementation thereof included as part of an overall routing plan. The routing map includes the desired allocation of calls placed from a customer defined origination region to selected ones of the customer's call receiving destinations. Using the customer supplied criteria, the system then composes a set of call-handling statements, also called time features, which the network then compiles into an executable routing scheme for translating the dialed number into the physical number associated with the selected customer destination.

Abstract: In order to place a communication device rapidly in communication with a destination, the preferred device is operable upon activation to dial a carrier direct, i.e., "cut through" number in order to place the device directly in communication with an interexchange carrier (IC). This eliminates the need and thus, the time, required for the local exchange carrier (LEC) to access a database in order to identify the IC from the NPA portion of a dialed number. By using automatic number identification (ANI), the IC determines that the calling number is associated with a particular device and, in response, automatically retrieves and routes a number for the called destination, thereby avoiding additional transaction time for translating a dialed, toll-free number into a ten digit on-net number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication signals carried by a telecommunication network (10) including a signal transfer point device (12) for routing data, clock and control signals over a link (14) and a link monitor (16) operable for monitoring the link (14) is disclosed. The method and apparatus provides for the monitoring of the data and clock signals routed over the link (14) without tapping into the control signals routed over the link (14).

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: The present invention is a service control point (SCP) for use in a telecommunications network, and in particular, as a component of a telecommunications signaling system. The SCP includes multiple databases which allow routing plans to be stored and implemented. The SCP is operable to accept queries from switches for routing information. The SCP is further operable to reply to these queries with information identifying a connection as opposed to a routing number.

Abstract: A telecommunications circuit provisioning and administration system includes an access request management component which receives access service requests for a plurality of different types of telecommunications circuits, processes the access service requests, and produces provisioning data packets containing information relating to the requested telecommunications circuits. An interface is connected to the access request management component for transmitting information to and from the access request management component. The interface is capable of providing communication between mainframe computer systems and mid-range distributed systems. A circuit administration component is connected to the interface and receives the provisioning data packets from the access request management component.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a dial-in telephone poll prompts callers at remote terminals to participate in the poll by selectively dialing a telephone number corresponding to a specific response to the poll. Each call from a poll participant is received at a switch that is the originating switch for that call. The originating switch also receives caller data indicating the dialed number associated with the call. This caller data is forwarded to a processor associated with the originating switch for counting the number of calls placed to each telephone number associated with the poll. The associated processor may also include a polling table containing a list of telephone numbers associated with the poll and a corresponding list of message IDs. Upon receiving caller data from an originating switch, the associated processor increments a counter for the dialed number and returns a corresponding message ID to the originating switch.

Abstract: A telecommunications system handles 800 calls between first and second networks in different countries. In the preferred embodiment, call handling equipment of the second network receives a call from a call origin in the first network, wherein the call was placed using an 800 number corresponding to a destination in the second network and wherein the second network includes interexchange carriers and local exchange carriers. Preferably, the call is received in call handling equipment of one of the interexchange carriers and carried to the destination by the interexchange carrier to which the 800 number is assigned. In one embodiment, the call is reoriginated after receipt by the call handling equipment of a local exchange carrier which routes the call to the assigned interexchange carrier. Billing charges are assessed to the origin for international toll charges and to the destination for 800 toll charges in the second network.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system which can be applied to supply a constant bit rate link with digital information from a packet or cell based link, such as an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) link. The present invention automatically provides compensation information to a buffer supplying the constant bit rate link with information. The compensation is not used if packets or cells are made available in the buffer.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, a toll fraud detection system analyzes call placement information concerning toll calls placed using billing numbers for unauthorized use of billing numbers. In the preferred embodiment, a set of artificial intelligence rules operate on the placement information to develop an indication that the use of a particular billing number is unauthorized.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of establishing telecommunications between a communication device and a predetermined destination by way of a telecommunications network. The network has at least a first network and a second network, wherein the first network establishes communications between a communications device and a second network. The steps provide for configuring the device to be activatable for transmitting a predetermined string associated with the second network, activating the device to transmit the predetermined string, and in response, establishing communication between the device and the second network. Information is received into the second network from the first network associated with the identity of the communication device, and, in response, retrieving data comprising a destination number previously stored in association with the device information, and establishing the communication with the destination in accordance with the retrieved destination number.

Abstract: A system (400), in its receiver aspect (e.g. 402), interconnects a terminal link (451) to either a first autonomous link (421) or a second autonomous link (431) depending upon the error conditions on the first and second links. The second link redundantly propagates the same data stream as the first link both in Extended Superframe Format (ESF) as generated in a transmitter (401) of the system. The two independent data streams are aligned in the receiver to compensate for the propagation delay difference between these two links. A predetermined number of first and second ESF superframes are stored in buffers during calculation of logic errors, if any, in each of the ESF superframes using the check data in each ESF superframe.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network using data packets for signaling, network components, such as signal transfer points, service control points, and switches, transfer a signaling packet to the network for transmission to a destination component only if that signaling packet is different from the previous packet sent to the same destination. The signaling packets are transferred over respective virtual channels assigned to respective pairs of network components.

Abstract: A system for controlling a video-conference network by the end user at a video conference site which is comprised of a public telecommunications network connected to video-conference controllers at the video conference sites. The video-conference controllers allow the end user to issue single commands which initiate an automated sequence resulting in implementation of the end user command. The commands are designed to provide the end user with real time control of video-conferencing.

Abstract: A configuration for a telecommunications network is disclosed in which service requests from subscribers are received into the network in a service manager which distributes the requests to appropriate service modules for composition of network instructions usable by network elements for providing telecommunications services corresponding to the requests.

Abstract: Apparatus, operating in a digital communication system, for interconnecting a primary or a secondary network to an output port. The primary and secondary networks are redundant networks having point-to-point topologies (125, 130) or point-to-multi-point topologies (210, 215). When connected in a point-to-point network topology that supports extended superframe format (ESF), the apparatus functions as an error correction switch and; when connected in a point-to-multi-point network topology, the apparatus functions as a DS1/0 protection switch. In its receiver aspect, the apparatus stores frames of digital data received from each of two redundant networks, inspects certain error codes contained in the received data and, in response to these error codes, selects the digital data originating from one of the networks that does not exhibit an error code. The data selection process uses a time-slot interchanging (TSI) technique.

Abstract: The present invention is a telecommunications system for allowing a business to control customer service. The system is comprised of a switching network and an enhanced services platform. Calls from the customer to the business are routed to the enhanced services platform by the switching network. Using codes acquired from the customer and the switching network, the enhanced services platform identifies a program specified by the business and also retrieves customer information. The information contains an account of telecommunications available, and the customer is connected to the business as long as a pre-determined amount is in the account. Action is taken when a second pre-determined amount remains. The customer is allowed to refresh the account and the enhanced services platform is capable of collecting information from the customer as a pre-requisite to customer service.

Abstract: A voice activated telephone directory and call placement system accessible over a telecommunications network allows a caller to store a personalized telephone directory, and to retrieve a selected directory listing therefrom by speaking a series of voice entries. In response, the system selectively provides a voice rendition of a destination telephone number associated with the listing and optionally initiates dialing of the number.