Abstract: A method of providing a session for ordering a telecommunication service includes receiving a telecommunication call for ordering the telecommunication service, communicating a prerecorded terms and conditions message for the telecommunication service to an individual ordering the telecommunication service, and receiving a reply message to the terms and conditions message from the individual. The prerecorded terms and conditions message is communicated to the individual and the reply message is received during the telecommunication call. A system for providing the session is disclosed.

Abstract: A modular roll-out floor for use as a temporary, removable cover over an ice surface, the floor includes a plurality of interconnected and disconnectable treads. Each tread is made of three layers: a top portion is made of high impact plastic with an anti-slip surface on a honeycomb structural design for strength and rigidity, an intermediate portion designed as an insulating thermal barrier layer and a lower portion, which is also made of high impact plastic with a honeycomb structural design for strength and rigidity. The three portions are connected to each other. The treads may be connected to other treads to form a floor of any size. Living hinges on each tread allow the floor to be easily rolled up and stored.

Abstract: A call schedule is received that includes a plurality of sample calls to be made by an automated calling station. The plurality of sample calls are automatically placed on the network using the automated calling station. At least one final billing record corresponding to the at least one completed sample call is received. The call data is processed to determine billed cost data. The billed cost data is compared to the previous cost data and a change in the rate plan is detected based on the comparison of the billed cost data to the previous cost data.

Abstract: A method for providing multiple calling service announcements on a single circuit card within a telephone network. The method reduces the number of stored speech files necessary to generate announcements regarding a calling service such as Automatic Call Back or Enhanced Repeat Dial. By reducing the amount of speech data stored on a circuit card, multiple calling service announcements can be provided on a single circuit card, thereby reducing equipment costs.

Abstract: A speech reference enrollment method involves the following steps: (a) requesting a user speak a vocabulary word; (b) detecting a first utterance (354); (c) requesting the user speak the vocabulary word; (d) detecting a second utterance (358); (e) determining a first similarity between the first utterance and the second utterance (362); (f) when the first similarity is less than a predetermined similarity, requesting the user speak the vocabulary word; (g) detecting a third utterance (366); (h) determining a second similarity between the first utterance and the third utterance (370); and (i) when the second similarity is greater than or equal to the predetermined similarity, creating a reference (364).

Abstract: A method and system for intelligent text entry on a keypad. First, a user selects a key on a keypad. Then, an application predicts which character of those corresponding to that key is intended by the user. The predicted character is then presented to the user for confirmation. If the user confirms the selection, the character is stored. If the user rejects the character, the application presents a new character to the user until a character is finally confirmed. It is only when the predicted character is not the intended character that the user is required to iterate through character choices.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.

Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.

Abstract: An intelligent network for providing access to an information network (80) has a number of central office switches (64, 82). Each central office switch (64, 82) is capable of receiving a call to a centrex telephone number and transmitting a query. A service control point (70) is coupled to the central office switches (64, 82) by a SS7 signal link (66). The service control point receives the query and transmits a response to the central office switch (64, 82). A hub switch (75) is coupled to the central office switches (64, 82) and receives the call. The hub switch (75) contains a digital trunk service (76) that combines the call with a number of other calls to form a data stream. The data stream is then transmitted to an information network node (80).

Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a first audio input device, a second audio input device, a first audio output device, and a second audio output device. The telephone apparatus is operative to couple the first audio input device and the first audio output device to a first telephone line. In response to a first signal, the coupling between the first audio input device and the first telephone line is modified, and the second audio input device and the second audio output device are coupled to a second telephone line.

Abstract: A virus screening method includes steps of routing a call between a calling party and a called party of a telephone network, receiving computer data from a first party of the calling party and the called party, and detecting a virus in the computer data. In response to detecting the virus, a step of inhibiting communication of at least a portion the computer data to a second party of the calling party and the called party is performed. A virus screening system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of aggregating calls includes receiving a group of dialed digits at a service switching point (52). The service switching point (52) determines if an access code is present. When the access code is present, the service switching (52) transmits an information analyzed query (54) to a switching control point (56). The service switching point (52) then receives an analyze route message (60) from the switching control point (56). The service switching point (52) then routes a call to a hub service switching point (58).

Abstract: A method for providing the names of the city and state of a calling party to a called party when the calling party's name is unavailable. The method utilizes the calling party's telephone number to determine the names of the city and state from which the calling party is calling. The method incorporates a database that contains combinations of telephone numbers and the names of the cities and states that correspond to the various combinations of numbers. In response to an indication that the name of the calling party is unavailable, the method accesses the databases and searches for the matching telephone number and corresponding city and state names. If the names are found, they are delivered to the calling party.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where "busy" or "no.sub.-- answer" triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the customer premise equipment (CPE) of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

Abstract: A method for determining the name of a calling party where the calling party's name and corresponding telephone number are found in a remote database. The method first identifies whether the calling party's telephone number is contained within the local database. When it is determined that the telephone number is not within the local database, the method attempts to locate the telephone number in a remote database. A query is formed according to a basic signal transmission protocol to ensure that a database which receives the query will be able to respond to it. The query requesting the name associated with the telephone number is sent across a network. The method receives a response to the inquiry and checks to ensure that a name was returned to the local database before delivering the name to the called party.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message is stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination if the destination is available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to a system for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.