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: An improved workstation for use in a telecommunications fraud detection system is disclosed. The workstation provides a fraud analyst with streamlined access to case records defining one or more subcases or fraud analyses associated with specified calling card numbers. Additionally, the workstation is preferably interconnected to a customer information database and may display a variety of detailed customer information on monitor together with associated case or subcase information. Through the use of assorted tools provided by the workstation, a fraud analyst may efficiently study instances of possible telecommunications fraud on a case-by-case basis.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring telecommunications traffic is disclosed. When a switch receives a call request, the switch sends a query message to a service controller. The service controller identifies the call request as a request to place a special service call and therefore returns to the switch a special service code, which causes the switch to route the call via a special looparound circuit to a destination. A signaling path associated with the looparound circuit passes through a designated network entity, which can therefore monitor the start and end of the call. An SCP or other network entity can then take appropriate action in response to the status of the call. The invention is particularly useful in facilitating robust account balance service such as prepaid calling.

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 prepaid service assurance system provides service assurance for a prepaid telecommunication system by generating a call to the prepaid telecommunication system. In response to the call, the prepaid service assurance system then receives an actual response from the prepaid telecommunication system and automatically compares the actual response with an expected response for the prepaid telecommunication system. In other embodiments, the prepaid service assurance system determines whether a modification action is needed based on the comparison of the actual response and the expected response. If the modification action is needed, the prepaid service assurance system identifies the modification action based on the determination that the modification is needed. Once the modification action is identified, the prepaid service assurance system transmits an instruction to provide the modification action for the prepaid telecommunication 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 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: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.

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: A system and method for allocating bandwidth in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) system under-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 under-allocates virtual paths for virtual path groups that require additional bandwidth to make connections for calls. When a connection is selected on the under-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 under-allocated virtual paths for the call over the virtual path group.

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 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 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 new signaling that identifies the selection and transfers the new signaling 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 new signaling.

Abstract: A device (310, 320), in its receiver aspect, interconnects a high-rate terminal, e.g. DS1, link transmitting outgoing fractional DS1, e.g. DS0, channels destined for a customer site with autonomous first and second networks (301, 302) composed of high-rate links (112, 312) propagating incoming fractional DS1 channels. Each network is adapted to insert a fault indication signal in any channel affected by a fault condition. The device monitors each incoming channel from each network for a fault indication signal and switches fractional DS1 channels from the network manifesting a fault condition to the alternate network, thereby maintaining essentially uninterrupted digital service to the customer site. In its transmitter aspect, the device transmits replicated versions of channels supplied by the terminal link simultaneously onto both the first and second networks, thereby providing a substantially identical device connected at the other end of the networks with corresponding incoming high-rate link signals.

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 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 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: 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.