Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for policy-based management of a multiprotocol label switching (“MPLS”) network. In an embodiment, a system includes a policy-based network administration system, and the policy-based network administration system includes a plurality of policies. The system also includes an MPLS network, which is coupled to the policy-based network administration system.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for connecting an out-of-market customer to a desired telephone number. The method comprises receiving a customer validation request from a foreign market provider and, in return, providing a random or designated toll-free telephone number to the foreign market provider. Upon receiving a call request from the foreign market provider, the call request is directed to the desired telephone number. The customer validation request may include the desired telephone number and/or a mobile identification number. The call request is based on the provided toll-free telephone number, which is owned by a home market provider.

Abstract: A system and method by which a merchant automatically notifies an outside e-billing vendor of customer account status changes that affect the transfer of billing information between the merchant and the e-billing vendor. The method reads an update file containing service order activities, searches among the activities in the update file for customers enrolled in an e-billing service, determines which of those enrolled customers received a service change that affected their account number, pulls the information associated with each affected account number, places the information in a record formatted as required by the e-billing vendor, and transmits the record to the e-billing vendor to synchronize the account numbers between the merchant and the e-billing vendor.

Abstract: A protective cover is provided for a telephone having a keypad and a display. The cover has a keypad portion for covering the keypad of the telephone to protect the telephone at the keypad, and a display portion for covering the display of the telephone to protect the telephone at the display.

Abstract: Real-time information associated with a telecommunication network is obtained. A computing system includes one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions associated with one or more computer programs and a first memory for storing the logic instructions to be executed; a database server, in communication with the computing system, and having a second memory for storing logic instructions to be executed thereon and a storage device in communication with the database server or the computing system for storing the information associated with the telecommunication network. Access to the information associated with the telecommunication network is enabled to one or more computer software programs stored in a storage device that is in communication with a computing system; and the one or software programs are enabled to access the modifications on a real-time basis when any of the information associated with the telecommunication network is modified.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the volume level of a communications device in response to ambient noise. In one embodiment, ambient noise is sampled once and the volume of a speaker associated with the communications device is increased to, and maintained at, a level sufficient to overcome the ambient noise such that a user can easily carry on a conversation or hear what is being transmitted. In another embodiment, ambient noise is periodically sampled and the volume of the speaker is adjusted in response to the sampled ambient noise. The system and method provides enhanced user convenience and power saving advantages.

Abstract: A system for providing multiple call processing services to a customer includes a first call processor configured to provide a first call processing service; a second call processor configured to provide a second call processing service; and a feature manager in communication with the first and second call processors, the feature manager being configured to receive a query message generated in response to a trigger associated with a telephone call and to direct the first and second call processors to provide the first and second call processing services.

Abstract: A support device and method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The support device has two ends with the first end adapted for engaging a pole and the second having two support members. The support members are utilized, for example, for securing a person and equipment to the utility pole. The support device may be manufactured from steel rod stock where one end is split creating two parallel sides that are then bent into the support members.

Abstract: Performance of quality assurance for a computer application development proceeds in a series of phases. Each of the phases in the QA life cycle corresponds to one or more phases in a computer application development life cycle. For example, in one embodiment, the quality assurance life cycle includes four phases—a test strategy phase, a test planning phase, a test execution phase and a rollout phase. Each phase of the QA life cycle has entrance and exit criteria. The phase can be entered when the entrance criteria have been met. When the exit criteria are met, the phase causes a gate to be closed to allow the software development life cycle to proceed to the next phase. In one embodiment, the software life cycle includes six phases—a requirements phase, a design phase, a code/unit test phase, a system test phase, a pre-production test phase and a production test phase.

Abstract: A system for provisioning virtual circuits in broadband access multiplexing elements is disclosed. The system manages an algorithm that selects a unique virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier for each new multiplexor input from a pool. The system sends commands to connect each new input to the multiplexor output based on the selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier. The selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier remain assigned to the input port even if the input connection is later deleted.

Abstract: A system and method delivers an audible tone to an unidentified caller who places a call to a subscriber to a privacy screening service with special information tones (SITs). The service is initiated when an unidentified caller places a telephone call to a subscriber. After the caller enters the telephone number of the subscriber, the service places a query to an SCP. The SCP determines the action to be taken for a call to a subscriber to privacy screening with SITs. If the called party is a subscriber to privacy screening with SITs, a SIT is generated, a privacy screening message is played and the call is handled as in known privacy screening services.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods provide for a single vehicle that has both loading ability to grade and otherwise move dirt while also having the ability to compact soil. One or more compaction wheels are included on a vehicle such as a skid steer loader. Wiper bars are also included to clean circumferential grooves defined by compaction studs located about the periphery of the compaction wheels. The compaction studs have a substantially flat ground-contacting surface with a surface area significantly smaller than the typical contact area of a tire, which results in increased pressure to provide for soil compaction. A loader bucket of the vehicle may be elevated to various heights to alter the weight distribution applied to the compaction wheels and/or may be filled with material such as dirt to control the overall vehicle weight applied to the compaction wheels.

Abstract: Automatic generation of loop make-up eliminates the need to match terminal names. A furthest feature from the origination of a particular pair range is determined. Using the determined furthest feature, one or more loop make-ups is generated by running the loop make-up for the circuit from the determined furthest feature to the origination of the pair range. Loop make-ups can be generated for a pair range as a whole or for individual complements in the pair range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time conversation among a plurality of disparate communication devices include receiving a first communication from a first communication device operating in a first communication mode, translating the first communication into a second communication that is suitable for processing by a second communication device operating in a second communication mode, wherein the second communication mode is different from the first communication mode, and providing the second communication to the second communication device.

Abstract: The present invention allows a global telephone number be assigned to a first outbound-only telephone line connected to a first service switching point (SSP) to be also assigned to a second outbound-only telephone line connected to a second service switching point. The global telephone number can be used as many times as there are service switching points within a single area code region. In a preferred embodiment, in which an outbound-only telephone line subscriber also has a regular telephone line, all calls originated from the subscriber's outbound-only telephone line can be billed against the account of the subscriber's regular telephone line. The invention also allows multiple outbound-only telephone lines be billed against the account of a single regular telephone line.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an inventory of and access to recorded announcement data, the method involving collecting switch data from one or more central office switches of a telecommunications network, extracting recorded announcement data from the switch data, storing the recorded announcement data in a database, and providing one or more users with access to the database through a computer network. The one or more central office switches could be non-incorporated switches or incorporated switches, depending on their ability to store switch data. For non-incorporated switches, which do not store a significant amount of information, the switch data is collected by hand from paper or electronic records and is entered into the database. For incorporated switches, which do store a significant amount of information, the switch data is downloaded from the switch as, for example, translation tables.

Abstract: A system for and method of analyzing packet traffic in a packet-switched network, including collecting traffic logs from a network operations center, wherein the traffic logs are representative of packet traffic passing through an actual configuration of the network, and wherein each traffic log includes the time the traffic log was created and an associated packet's network entry and exit points. The collected traffic logs are stored in a computer such that the traffic logs can be replayed. A computer file is thereafter created and is representative of a modified network configuration that is different from the actual configuration of the network. The traffic logs are replayed in coordination with the modified network configuration to generate a histogram file representative of packet traffic passing through or via at least one of a host, node or link in the modified network configuration.

Abstract: A system and method of maintaining communication between a computer and a server, the server being in communication with the computer via xDSL service or dial-up modem service, with xDSL service being the default mode of communication, the method including sending a request to the server via xDSL service to which the server should respond and determining if a response has been received. If no response has been received, displaying on the computer a message (i) indicating that xDSL service has failed and (ii) offering to establish communication between the computer and the server via the dial-up modem, and thereafter changing the default mode of communication between the computer and the server to dial-up modem service. In a preferred embodiment, an xDSL service provider monitors dial-up modem communications and determines if the computer dialing in normally establishes communication with the server via xDSL service. The xDSL service provider can thus quickly and easily detect xDSL failures.

Abstract: An adaptive unit that taps into an existing POTS line, DLC POTS line, DLC channel unit designed for sealing current outputs, or AC-DC transformer designed for sealing current output, to provide sealing current to a DSL circuit thereby avoiding having to deploy a separate sealing current unit to supply the desired sealing current to the DSL circuit. The adaptive unit, or sealing current derivation device, is preferably deployed at remote terminals thereby facilitating the offering of new DSL service, but may also be utilized in a central office.