Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for completing calls to selected agents of an ACD (Automatic Call Distributor). In accordance with this invention, callers to the ACD are frequently assigned a preferred agent for handling their transactions. When these callers call the basic number of the ACD, they are identified and routed preferably, to the preferred agent if that agent is logged on. If the callers have not completed a transaction, the agent who is serving a call for that transaction provides a transaction number to the caller and the caller subsequently is connected to the agent associated with that transaction number. Advantageously, callers can normally be served by the same agent while still having the advantage of having their calls queued to any available agent of the ACD if the preferred agent for handling a caller or handling a transaction is not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for serving operator assistance calls from a remote operator assistance system but using the data base of the normal serving operator assistance system to verify the capability of the caller to place the desired call. The call is routed to the remote system where, for example, a specialized operator team, such as a Spanish speaking team, serves calls from an entire region or nation. The remote system accesses the data base of the normal serving system to obtain the data, describing the attributes of the caller, necessary to minimize the number of calls that are fraudulently completed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a standard language and signal interface between a custom line card for connection to a corresponding arbitrary type terminal, and a switch. The line card is plugged into an interface unit which converts between the signals from the arbitrary type terminal and a standard set of signals for interfacing with the switch. The Bellcore TR303 standard is the preferred choice for communicating signals between the interface unit and the switch. The term terminal as used herein is very general and includes both simple (analog) and complex (video) telephone devices, as well as other types of customer premises equipment such as FAX terminals; it includes, for example a TV set-top box. Advantageously, only a small signal conversion program and table, and an interface card, need be developed in order to support a new type of terminal.

Abstract: An arrangement for selectively altering the serving of emergency serving areas ESAs. Normally emergency serving areas are grouped and all calls for a group are handled by teams of agents at public safety answering point (PSAP) positions. For special emergencies such as a fire it is deskable that all traffic from one emergency service area be specially routed either to a single destination such as one PSAP position or a telephone in a fire station or to a special group of agents. This is accomplished by assigning a different routing telephone number to the emergency service number ESN corresponding to each emergency service area and using that routing telephone number ESN for routing calls. The calls are routed first to a single agent position which is normally not logged in and then on a default basis to an automatic call distributor (ACD) number for routing to a team of PSAP agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of providing information for display at a calling party telecommunications station or at an idle station. Two signaling arrangements are described, the D-channel of an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) channel, and an in-band frequency shift key signal. The information that is displayed is related to the called party (such as information identifying that party), the carrier of the conversation, or represents general information (an emergency announcement).

Abstract: A limit is placed on charges to be incurred on a telecommunications call. Normally, this limit is specified by the caller. The telecommunications network maintains a running tally of the charges being incurred and notifies the caller when the charges approach the limit. At that time, the caller may specify a new limit, simply disconnect, or be automatically disconnected when the limit is reached. Advantageously, callers can limit the charges on a particular call without having to be aware of the exact charging parameters for that call.

Abstract: An arrangement for routing toll calls to a predominant local exchange carrier (LEC) or to a competitive access provider (CAP). An egress switch of an interexchange (toll) carrier translates the called directory number office code to determine whether that code serves a CAP. If so, an exception table is searched to identify the CAP. If the called number is not in the exception table, the call is routed to the predominant LEC. Calls may also be routed to a customer who is served by a CAP and the predominant LEC via either of these local carriers. The billing record identifies an originating and/or a terminating CAP for the call. Optionally or alternatively, an ingress IXC switch may access a data base to determine the CAP or predominant LEC serving a called customer. The ingress IXC switch then routes the call to an IXC egress switch serving the carrier that serves the called customer. Advantageously, this arrangement efficiently serves calls using a CAP to provide part of the connection.

Abstract: Bus arrangements are disclosed for interconnecting processors and main memory modules of a shared memory multiprocessor system. A single address bus interconnects all processors and memory modules, but odd and even memory modules communicate data to and from the processors via an odd and an even data bus. Each reading of memory occupies four bus cycles on one of the data buses. On the address bus, two of each of the four cycles are available for addressing odd and even memory modules, and the other two are available for sending invalidation addresses to the caches of the processors. The single address bus is used for transmitting a relatively narrow (32-bit) address word throughout the system, one address on each bus cycle, while the data buses are time shared to transmit a wide data word (256-bit) in four bus cycles, and each data bus is only connected to half of the main memory modules. Such an arrangement makes efficient use of limited bus resources to transmit information when and where it is needed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making a credit/debit card purchase without revealing the card number to the vendor of services or goods. The card holder is connected to a data base and provides the card number, plus holder identity verification, to the data base. The data base then verifies whether the card holder is authorized to incur the expense of the purchase, and, if so, provides an authorization indication or code to the vendor; the card number cannot be derived from the authorization information, thus helping to preserve the secrecy of the card number.

Abstract: An arrangement for routing toll calls to a predominant local exchange carrier (LEC) or to a competitive access provider (CAP). An egress switch of an interexchange (toll) carrier translates the called directory number office code to determine whether that code serves a CAP. If so, an exception table is searched to identify the CAP; if the called number is not in the exception table, the call is routed to the predominant LEC. Calls may also be routed to a customer who is served by a CAP and the predominant LEC via either of these local carriers. The billing record identifies an originating and/or a terminating CAP for the call. Optionally or alternatively, the ingress IXC switch may access a data base to determine the CAP or predominant LEC serving a called customer; the ingress IXC switch then routes the call to an IXC egress switch serving the carrier that serves the called customer. Advantageously, this arrangement efficiently serves calls using a CAP to provide part of the connection.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) service from a mixture of local and remote agents. The remote agents are connected via a voice connection to the home switch of the ACD and voice data connection to a Home Agent Server (HAS). The HAS passes call event data to a Management Information System (MIS) of the ACD, which informs the ACD switch of call events that make a remote agent available or unavailable, and passes applications data to a host processor for serving the applications of the ACD. Call set-up time is reduced by establishing longer term connections between the ACD and the remote server and using these connections for a plurality of calls; such connections are established or disconnected when the traffic level suggests the desirability of having more or fewer remote servers. Advantageously, ACD service can be provided efficiently and economically from a remote server.

Abstract: An end office of the PSTN, which employs independent switching networks which share one or more office codes, is served by a single assigned node on the CCS network. The signaling processor which serves the assigned node, screens all incoming call messages (IAM)'s; directs messages which include an appropriate Channel Identification Code (CIC) to the switching network that serves that CIC; rejects messages that include an improper CIC; and requests that the calling office assign a different CIC to the incoming call.

Abstract: Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) signal streams are converted into Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells for switching and transmission across a telecommunications network. Each cell carries one PCM sample of up to 48 different voice connections, the voice connections being selected from the PCM data streams because they have a common destination. The cells are transmitted over ATM virtual paths, each path transmitting one cell every 125 .mu.s. The ATM signals are switched by units for switching cells (cell switching), while keeping their payload contents intact, and by units for switching the signals for individual voice connections between cells of an ATM signal (cell remapping). Advantageously, ATM transmission systems interface with PCM systems without adding appreciable delay and without requiring additional buffering. Advantageously, new voice paths can be established most of the time by using available slots in the cells of existing virtual paths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing customer meters and for controlling customer devices over a telephone line. A connection using only a single distinctive brief burst of power ringing or tone is established over a customer line between a central office and customer station equipment to alert both the customer and the customer premises equipment (CPE) or a short burst of tone to alert the CPE. The connection is between a data accessing device such as a meter reading controller and a customer premises device such as a meter interface unit. Signals are exchanged over the connection between these two units without alerting the customer via a ringing signal and without changing the supervisory state of the customer's station equipment from on-hook. The connection can also be used for controlling devices such as air conditioning units, in order, for example, to avoid overloads in a power distribution system.

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for supplying audio and video signals from separate sources to a video telecommunication station. In one embodiment, the audio is supplied, for example, by a stock broker or agent, while the video is supplied by a separate source controlled by the agent. Advantageously, pre-planned video from a common source, or video from a separate camera, can be supplied to a caller along with the audio message from the agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for offering wireless telecommunication service. A switch such as an automatic Private Branch Exchange (PBX), equipped to communicate with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) station sends ISDN signaling messages to and receives ISDN signaling messages from a protocol converter. The protocol converter, which also communicates with a wireless cell site, converts messages between the ISDN protocol and a protocol for communicating with the wireless cell site. The cell site sets up wireless connections to a mobile station, essentially in its prior art mode, and the PBX sets up connections to the cell site essentially in its prior art ISDN station control mode. The system can also hand off calls from one cell site to another connected to the same PBX, using the protocol converter to generate and distribute the locate request messages.

Abstract: An end office of the PSTN, which employs independent switching networks which share one or more office codes, is served by a single assigned node on the CCS network. The signaling processor which serves the assigned node, screens all incoming call messages (IAM)'s; directs messages which include an appropriate Channel Identification Code (CIC) to the switching network that serves that CIC; rejects messages that include an improper CIC; and requests that the calling office assign a different CIC to the incoming call. In an alternate configuration, a signaling message intercept unit is interposed between a signal transfer point (STP) and end switches, to determine which of two or more switches should receive a message, based on the directory number, a circuit identifier or a message index of the received message, and forwards the message to the correct switch.

Abstract: An arrangement for pooling service circuits so that they become available to a plurality of switching systems in a telecommunications network. A regional control node receives a request for a service circuit to be connected to a call. The regional control node maintains the availability status of the service circuits in a pool for the region. In response to a request for a service circuit, the regional control node selects an appropriate circuit and transmits order to the switches and the circuit to establish the proper connections among these units in order to associate the service circuit with the requesting call. Advantageously, such an arrangement permits a large pool of individually expensive service circuits to serve a large number of switching systems, thus, increasing the efficiency of utilization of these service circuits. The arrangement is also used for controlling the allocation of transmission resources to any call, thus optimizing the use of the regional transmission resources.

Abstract: Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) signal streams are converted into Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells for switching and transmission across a telecommunications network. Each cell carries one PCM sample of up to 48 different voice connections, the voice connections being selected from the PCM data streams because they have a common destination. The cells are transmitted over ATM virtual paths, each path transmitting one cell every 125 .mu.s. The ATM signals are switched by units for switching cells (cell switching), while keeping their payload contents intact, and by units for switching the signals for individual voice connections between cells of an ATM signal (cell remapping). Advantageously, ATM transmission systems interface with PCM systems without adding appreciable delay and without requiring additional buffering. Advantageously, new voice paths can be established most of the time by using available slots in the cells of existing virtual paths.

Abstract: Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) signal streams are converted into Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells for switching and transmission across a telecommunications network. Each cell carries one PCM sample of up to 48 different voice connections, the voice connections being selected from the PCM data streams because they have a common destination. The cells are transmitted over ATM virtual paths, each path transmitting one cell every 125 .mu.s. The ATM signals are switched by units for switching cells (cell switching), while keeping their payload contents intact, and by units for switching the signals for individual voice connections between cells of an ATM signal (cell remapping). Advantageously, ATM transmission systems interface with PCM systems without adding appreciable delay and without requiring additional buffering. Advantageously, new voice paths can be established most of the time by using available slots in the cells of existing virtual paths.