Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a calling party. First, the called party receives a telephone number of a calling party. The called party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the calling party's computer-network address is retrieved, calling-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the called party's CPE. Also, the calling party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the calling-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the called party's CPE.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: A structured document browser includes a constant user interface for displaying and viewing sections of a document that is organized according to a pre-defined structure. The structured document browser displays documents that have been marked with embedded codes that specify the structure of the document. The tags are mapped to correspond to a set of icons. When the icon is selected while browsing a document, the browser will display the section of the structure corresponding to the icon selected, while preserving the constant user interface.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A method using an advanced intelligent network to seamlessly connect a plurality of virtual networks includes the steps of: (a) Receiving a number of dialed digits at a first service switching point in a first local access and transport area (10); (b) When the first service switching point is determined to be a hub service switching point (22), sending a query to a service control point (24); (d) Determining if the dialed digits require an access to a private networks interLATA call; and (e) When the dialed digits require access to the private networks interLATA call, routing the call over a tie line (40) to a second hub service switching point (34) in a second local access and transport area (26).

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 signal transfer point distributes a plurality of messages to a plurality of service control points in accordance with a distribution plan. The distribution plan includes each of the service control points. Each of the plurality of messages from the signal transfer point is distributed to a corresponding one of the plurality of service control points in accordance with the distribution plan.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A work-at-home telecommunication service is provided in code and a dialed number to initiate a call. The call is suspended and a query is sent to a service control point after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number. The query includes the dialed number and a calling party identification number. A response to the query is formed using the service control point by translating the dialed number to a called party identification number, and by modifying the calling party identification number to an identification number of a group associated with the calling party. The response includes the called party identification number, the calling party identification number, and a carrier identification code which identifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with the calling party. The call is routed to the called party using the telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code.

Abstract: A wireless digital personal communications system (or PCS) having a plurality of intelligent base stations and portable handset terminals, each having a predetermined radio cell coverage area. The radio cell, radio-telephone PCS has a full digital network interface. The personal communications system facilitates direct interconnection and switching of PCS call traffic through the digital network interface and the public switched telephone network, or any switched network. The personal communications system has voice/data/image (or any combination thereof), and incoming and outgoing calling capability. The PCS is fully operational and compatible with any modulation approach selected. The intercell protocol hand-off being provided through distributed logic which is implemented in software that is resident in the intelligent portable handset terminals, in the intelligent base stations, and in the public switched telephone network (or any switched network).

Abstract: A multi-purpose interface apparatus for a television receiver for digital or analog, broadcast or switched video distribution systems is provided which eliminates the necessity of having the user operate a separate set-top cable converter at the location of the subscriber in order to receive any switched or broadcast, digital or analog CATV offering transmitted to the subscriber by the cable service provider, regardless of the particular type of cable service requested by the subscriber from the cable service provider (i.e., basic cable program offering, a scrambled premium program offering and/or a pay-for-view program offering). This interface will also be fully capable of operating with novel CATV distribution systems, including all prospective video dial tone systems. Also disclosed is a related method.

Abstract: A method for assigning frequency channels to base stations in a cellular communication system that coexists with a set of existing fixed site microwave receivers groups the base stations into clusters and the potential frequency channels into channel blocks. Each cluster is then assigned a usage parameter indicative of how many base stations within the cluster may operate within a given channel block. A computer model is operated to predict whether aggregate interference from the base stations and the associated handsets at the existing fixed site receivers would be excessive. If so, the usage parameters are revised to reduce the number of base stations within the respective cluster that may operate within an interfering channel block. These steps are repeated until the aggregate interference from the base stations and associated handsets at the existing fixed site microwave receivers is no longer excessive.

Abstract: A full duplex digital transmission, high-capacity digital, facility loop-back test, diagnostics and maintenance system having a digital transmission facility, transmission medium, and at least one microprocessor-based, full duplex facility loop-back diagnostics interface is located at predetermined end-user locations within the system. The system is capable of initiating a facility loop-back test and predetermined diagnostics for a predetermined digital transmission span and customer premises equipment at the location of the network interface for a specified end-user. The facility loop-back diagnostics interface has a performance monitoring mode of operation and a maintenance facility loop-back mode of operation. The diagnostics interface can be activated from a remote location and is compatible with and supports a particular protocol, specifically LAP-B protocol.

Abstract: A wireless digital personal communications system (or PCS) having a plurality of intelligent base stations and portable handset terminals, each having a predetermined radio cell coverage area. The radio cell, radio-telephone PCS has a full ISDN interface. The personal communications system facilitates direct interconnection and switching of PCS call traffic through the ISDN interface and the public switched telephone network, or any switched network. The personal communications system has voice/data/image (or any combination thereof), and incoming and outgoing calling capability. The PCS is fully operational and compatible with any modulation approach selected The intercell protocol hand-off being provided through distributed logic which is implemented in software that is resident in the intelligent portable handset terminals, in the intelligent base stations, and in the public switched telephone network (or any switched network).

Abstract: A computer-based system for correlating an address to the current switched network telephone number(s) assigned to and operational at the address. This Telehpone Number Administration System is a data processing system which communicates with one or more other data processing systems using any of several types of telecommunication facilities. One of the data processing systems, the User system, transmits an address to the Telephone Number Administration System. The Telephone Number Administration System includes a data storage facility containing records which relate addresses and possibly other information to the current telephone number or numbers which are assigned to and operational at each address. Upon receiving an address from a User system, the Telephone Number Administration System performs a search of the records and identifies the telephone number(s) assigned to the address or addresses which most closely match the address received from the User system.