Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network (10) that is operable to collect and report data relating to the status and use of a wireless phone (34) or other telecommunications device in near real-time in response to data collection requests made by subscribers or other authorized persons.

Abstract: A method and system for controlled provisioning of a desired set of service logic for a subscriber of group of subscribers. In response to a designated stimulus, such as a time-event, a location-event or a threshold-event, a network entity modifies the subscriber profile maintained by a serving system, so as to include in the profile one or more desired parameters. One such modification may be the inclusion in the profile of a trigger that directs the serving system to query a designated network entity for call handling instructions. The designated network entity may then provide a special set of services for the subscriber or group. Further, a mechanism is provided to help ensure that once such a service overlay is imposed, it remains imposed if desired.

Abstract: A voice mail system employs caller-specific sub-mailboxes that are created within a voice mail account owner's mailbox so that a caller designates an access pincode for the sub-mailbox and then has access to the sub-mailbox for leaving messages, deleting messages, and re-ordering messages. Consequently, the voice mail systems achieve increased flexibility in accessing previous messages by one caller from multiple telephone locations, increased overall productivity of voice mail system users, the capability to allow a mailbox owner to prioritize the playing of recorded messages, and minimized connection time and battery consumption of portable, handheld devices accessing the voice mail system.

Abstract: A system and method for creating solution tools has components listed for any potential solution to a solution tool, a set of questions outlining requirements for the solution tool, and options that may be selected for each of the questions. Graphics, including template graphics and component graphics that graphically depict each component, are created using a graphic engine. Logic rules assign components to selectable options. The logic rules are saved as assembled logic. When the assembled logic is interpreted and executed, it determines components and graphics that are required for any potential solution based upon the selected options. When the solution tool is used by a user, the user selects options to the answers, and the solution tool dynamically generates a component list report listing all of the components required for the solution and a graphic report having graphics that graphically depict the required components for the solution.

Abstract: A communication billing system comprising a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a plurality of wireless service events from a wireless system together at the event level with a plurality of wireline service events from a wireline system to generate total charge records for a plurality of wireless services and a plurality of wireline services. The processing system is also configured to process the total charge records for the plurality of wireless services and the plurality of wireline services to generate a customer bill. The interface system is configured to receive the plurality of wireless service events from the wireless system, receive the plurality of wireline service events from the wireline system, and transmit the customer bill for the processing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that orders or re-orders the entries in an electronic phonebook based on the number of calls made to and/or received from the phone numbers in the phonebook. The dynamic ordering permits the most frequently called and/or received phone numbers to be more accessible than less frequently called and/or received phone numbers, thus significantly reducing phonebook search times.

Abstract: A telecommunications service control point having call blocking logic configured to block a percentage of call attempts to a called number and route a percentage of call attempts to the called number. The SCP comprises a processing system coupled to an interface. The processing system is configured to a process a plurality of query messages to generate a plurality of response messages containing call handling information for a plurality of call attempts to a called number. A first percentage of the call handling information includes instructions to block a corresponding first percentage of the plurality of call attempts to the called number. A second percentage of the call handling information includes instructions to route a corresponding second percentage of the plurality of call attempts to the called number. The interface is configured to receive the plurality of query messages and transmit the plurality of response messages.

Abstract: A power supply for providing full time electrical power to a customer premises telecommunications hub. The supply includes an AC to DC power converter for converting power from the AC power grid to a DC voltage selected to maintain a backup battery at float voltage. The converter includes a first rectifier section for generating an unregulated DC voltage. This voltage is switched through the primary of an isolation transformer by a pulse width modulated voltage controller. The output of the transformer is connected to a second rectifier circuit and filter to produce a regulated DC output voltage. The regulated voltage is connected to a voltage correction circuit through a divider including a temperature compensator so that the feedback to the voltage controller causes the regulated output voltage to follow the battery float voltage at all temperatures. The unregulated DC voltage is coupled to the voltage controller current limiting input to protect the power supply at high input voltages.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a call comprises a signaling interface to receive and process call signaling and transmit call signaling between a call processor and communication devices such as a local number portability service control point. A call processor processes call signaling to determine call connections. A local service control point (local SCP) provides information such as, for example, for N00 routing and virtual private network (VPN) routing. The local SCP resides with the call processor on a single platform so that they are connected, for example, through a backplane or bus architecture. In this configuration, transaction capabilities application part messages do not have to be transmitted between the signaling interface and the local SCP. Instead, direct communication can occur through control messages transmitted between the local SCP and the call processor thereby realizing increased speed and processing efficiency.

Abstract: The invention authenticates processes and inter-process messaging. In some examples of the invention, security is performed in three layers—the application layer, the middleware layer, and the transport layer. Some examples of the invention include software products. One software product comprises security software and middleware software stored on a software storage medium. The security software directs a processor to receive a log-in request for a process, generate a request to authenticate the process, transfer the request to authenticate the process, receive a security association for the process, and transfer the security association. The middleware software directs the processor to receive the security association from the security software, receive a message from the process, insert the security association into the message, and transfer the message. Another software product comprises security software stored on a software storage medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer software framework and method for accessing data from a datastore. The invention discloses a framework for accessing data from a datastore. The framework is comprised of a datatable comprising data retrieved from a datastore. A first class object, a second class object, and a third class object populated with columns of data from the datatable, and the second class object is referenced by the first class object and the third class object is referenced by the second class object. A hashtable is used to cache the first, second, and third class objects such that the first class object is stored as a key in the hashtable and the second and third class objects are the corresponding value of that key in the hashtable. The method for accessing data from a datastore comprises creating a datatable comprising data retrieved from a datastore. A first class object, a second class object, and a third class object are populated with columns of data from the datatable.

Abstract: An errorless switching system is disclosed that is comprised of a fault detector, a synchronization system, and a switching system. The synchronization system aligns a first data signal and a second data signal. The fault detector detects errors in the data signals and instructs the switching system to transfer the first data signal or the second data signal to avoid transferring the erroneous data. No data is lost or duplicated because the data signals are aligned at the switching system.

Abstract: A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is disclosed that is comprised of a central node, an optical fiber, a first low insertion loss Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (O-ADM), a second low insertion loss O-ADM, and a third low insertion loss O-ADM. The first, second, and third O-ADMs are coupled to the optical fiber and configured to drop wavelengths from an optical signal. The first, second, and third O-ADMs each have an insertion loss of less than approximately 1.00 dB. The low insertion loss O-ADMs create an efficient MAN that can grow much larger than current MANs in the absence of optical line amplifiers.

Abstract: An optical signal transmitter is disclosed that transmits an optical signal with corresponding Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) channels and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) channels. The transmitter is comprised of a laser, a dispersion system, and a modulator. The laser generates and transmits a narrow laser pulse comprised of a plurality of wavelength channels. The dispersion system broadens the narrow laser pulse into a wide laser pulse. The modulator modulates the wide laser pulse based oh an electric modulation signal comprised of a plurality of time slot channels wherein the time slot channels in the electric modulation signal correspond to the wavelength channels in the wide laser pulse respectively. The modulator transfers a modulated wide laser pulse. Channels of the modulated wide laser pulse are hybrid wavelength and time slot channels. The transmitter singularly transmits a WDM optical signal comprised of multiple wavelength channels.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated testing of a telecommunications system. In operation, the automated test system may be used to test the functionality of telephony applications residing on telecommunications equipment and to validate the data contained within related databases. In an exemplary embodiment, the automated test system is used to test the functionality of an automated messaging system and the accuracy of associated call detail records (CDR) located within a CDR database. A capture/playback tool is preferably used to emulate the interaction of a test person on a workstation of the test system to thereby automate the testing process.

Abstract: A naming service implementation method and apparatus. The method involves creating a name service, preferably compliant with the CORBA CosNaming Specification, where the name service is arranged to store persistent information using a directory service. This aspect involves creating a storage mechanism comprising a directory service, preferably a directory service compliant with LDAP version 2, which is arranged to store the persistent information for the name service. An additional embodiment may be implemented by creating a data store interface for interacting with the directory service, wherein such interaction comprises the use of protocol compliant with LDAP version 2.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating bandwidth in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) system over-allocates bandwidth in virtual paths for virtual path groups between ATM devices. A bandwidth allocation platform manages the virtual paths in the ATM system to control allocation and to prevent congestion, while providing efficient utilization of the bandwidth within the ATM system. The bandwidth allocation system over-allocates virtual paths for virtual path groups that require additional bandwidth to make connections for calls. When a connection is selected on the over-allocated virtual path, the virtual path may use bandwidth from another virtual path in the virtual path group or from a virtual path in another virtual path group if needed. A communication device transports user communications and call signaling for a call. A signaling processor processes the call signaling to select a connection in one of the over-allocated virtual paths for the call over the virtual path group.

Abstract: The illustrated fiber management assembly includes a rectangular case configured to fit between bays of equipment. Fiber connected to the equipment bays enters the case through a top inlet opening and exits the case through one of two outlet openings extending along respective sides of the case, with any excess fiber being located within the storage chamber defined by the case. Adjacent the inlet opening of the case is a clamp that is compressible around the fiber to relieve axial loading on the fiber. The management assembly is provided with a slack take-up mechanism that is configured to support excess fiber in a looped arrangement within the storage chamber. The slack take-up mechanism includes a plurality of spool assemblies adjustably positioned along the length of the storage chamber.

Abstract: A call center for handling call for speech and hearing impaired subscribers. The call center includes a plurality of terminals connected to a switching system to handle calls. Each of said plurality of terminals includes a computer system that handles video calls from the speech and hearing impaired subscribers and a telephone station that handles voice calls to parties communicating with the speech and hearing impaired subscribers. A call controller connected to the switching system and the plurality of terminals determines which of the plurality of terminals handles an incoming call.

Abstract: A position determining system using a first communication network, a second communication network, and a positioning system. The system may include at least one reference station that has known position coordinates and that is operable to receive first position signals from the positioning system. The reference station further may transmit position data via the first communication network in response to the first position signals and the known position coordinates. A remote central host communicatively coupled to the reference station via the first communication network can receive and store the position data transmitted from the reference station and generate and transmit correction data via the first or second communication network to provide either real-time or archived position corrections to a rover. The rover can receive its own positioning signals and, using the correction data and the position signals, can accurately determine its position.