Abstract: A method for providing access to internet services includes displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a first pane configurable to display internet connection identifiers. The method also includes connecting simultaneously to the internet through a non-secure internet service provider and through a secure virtual private network over a single network access link, based on input to the first pane entered by at least one user of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for controlling circuit switched communications using switched virtual circuit (SVC) signaling includes receiving, at a service controller over a signaling channel from an originating end system, a connection setup signal requesting a switched virtual circuit connection. A proxy setup signal enabling setup of the switched virtual circuit connection in response to the connection setup signal is sent over a proxy signaling channel separate from the signaling channel.

Abstract: A method of presenting instructions to a user sending an incoming communication to a service center includes presenting a menu to the user. The menu includes a plurality of procedure descriptors to the user. The user is presented, according to a selection of one of the procedure descriptors by the user, a sequence of instructions which enable completion of a procedure described by the selected procedure descriptor. The incoming communication is transferred at a position in the sequence of instructions to a representative. The incoming communication is also transferred back to the same position in the sequence of instructions.

Abstract: A method for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines is provided. The method includes selecting a filter having spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband. The method also includes connecting the filter in series to at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer. The method further includes activating service over the at least one loop. The filter attenuates signals transmitted on frequencies outside of the predetermined passband over the at least one loop.

Abstract: A customer service call system that provides both manual (assisted by a service representative) and automated problem solving dialogs. A routing process determines which dialog is appropriate for incoming calls. The routing process determines a probability that the automated system will resolve the problem and also determines an expected hold time for the customer to reach the manual dialog. The routing process uses this information to determine how the call should be routed.

Abstract: A method for location-based communications routing includes determining a location of a requesting party in accordance with an address of the requesting party. Whether the location of the requesting party is in a first subscriber service area is determined and, when the location of the requesting party is not in the first subscriber service area, whether the location of the requesting party is in a second expanded subscriber service area larger than and including the first subscriber service area is determined. When the location of the requesting party is determined to be in the first subscriber service area, data corresponding to the first subscriber area is forwarded. When the location of the requesting party is determined to be in the second expanded subscriber service area, data corresponding to the second expanded subscriber service area is forwarded.

Abstract: The present invention is an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet via a dial-up connection to receive caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. The information may be provided via a pop-up dialog box on the subscriber's display, which includes but is not limited to a monitor of a personal computer (PC). The information displayed to the subscriber includes the name and number of the calling party, if available. In addition, several disposition options are presented to the subscriber solely via the Internet which, upon selection, determine the handling of the incoming call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a graphical user interface that allows a user to access, maintain, and troubleshoot services over a single digital subscriber line (DSL) through a unified interface. The interface permits the subscriber to simultaneously connect to multiple Internet connections and services.

Abstract: A method provides customized voice mail settings feature information to a telecommunications service subscriber. The method includes customizing a list of persistent settings features to include multiple persistent settings features that relate to telecommunications services subscribed to by the telecommunications service subscriber. The persistent settings features are maintained in a defined state through more than one subscriber session. The subscriber is sequentially prompted to select a persistent settings feature from the customized list by sequentially playing each of the persistent settings features to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for location-based communicating includes defining at least one predefined service area for a service provider. A networked communications apparatus receives a communication including a first identifier that identifies the service provider based on input from a requesting party. A determination is made as to whether multiple predefined service areas have been defined for the service provider based on receiving the communication at the networked communications apparatus. A determination is made as to whether the requesting party is in one of the predefined service areas, when the multiple predefined service areas have been defined for the service provider. A determination is made as to which of the predefined service areas the requesting party is in, when the requesting party is in one of the predefined service areas. Information specific to a service provider location is provided for the determined predefined service area the requesting party is in.

Abstract: A method and system include routing telephone calls from multiple private networks via public lines and trunks in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a host switch, at which the connections would begin to run parallel. The host switch routes the telephone calls via a private trunk group to a private facility, such as an electronic tandem network (ETN) node or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. If the private trunk group is full or unavailable, the host switch routes the telephone calls over alternate private or public trunk groups and selected carriers.

Abstract: A System and method for reducing and surviving failures in a voice trunking over ATM (VTOA) environment includes a CS-IWF complex having a plurality of interconnected CS-IWF units, each unit having a plurality of processors. An end office building may also be provided for interaction with the VTOA system. The end office building includes multiple T-IWFs, and a switch that distributes calls among the T-IWFs in a load sharing manner. Each T-IWF has a plurality of processors and is part of the VTOA system. A switch management system is also provided in the VTOA system. In order to reduce and survive failures, the switch management system includes a plurality of switch management system units. At least one of the switch management system units is a backup unit for a primary switch management system unit. Each switch management system unit provides application redundancy within itself.

Abstract: A system allows switch signaling to be processed in a controller adjunct to a switch, and for the controller to effect the connection by signaling to the switch. This is accomplished by an end unit communicating service information to a controller and the controller instructing the switch to carry out the service transaction. The service information from the end unit is routed through the switch being controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A distributed network switching system includes a data network. The system also includes multiple access interworking function (A-IWF) devices each operating as a gateway that enables customer premises devices to directly interface into the data network. The system further includes a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device that performs call control functions and administrative functions and is adapted to interface narrowband and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the data network.

Abstract: An interactive voice response system that allows a caller to perform a series of sequential tasks based on an instruction set. The caller is queried after each instruction to ensure that the caller has successfully completed all of the steps. Additionally, provisions are provided to automatically pause the instruction set and present reminders to the caller. Further the caller may elect to repeat instructions, back up the instruction set, receive additional details, transfer to a service representative, or receive summary information.

Abstract: A method for location-based communications routing includes determining a location of a requesting party in accordance with an originating communications address of the requesting party. The method also includes determining whether the location of the requesting party is in a first subscriber service area and, when the location of the requesting party is not in the first subscriber service area, determining whether the location of the requesting party is in a second expanded subscriber service area larger than and including the first subscriber service area. When the location of the requesting party is determined to be in the first subscriber service area, a communication from the requesting party is forwarded to a routing communications address associated with the first subscriber service area.

Abstract: The present invention is an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet via a dial-up connection to receive caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. The information may be provided via a pop-up dialog box on the subscriber's display, which includes but is not limited to a monitor of a personal computer (PC). The information displayed to the subscriber includes the name and number of the calling party, if available. In addition, several disposition options are presented to the subscriber solely via the Internet which, upon selection, determine the handling of the incoming call.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a communication through an alternate carrier. The A method includes recognizing an input number upon which a call is based, assigning primary, alternate and secondary interexchange carriers responsive to the recognizing, and sequentially routing an input number from a node among primary, alternate, and secondary carriers until a connection is established.

Abstract: Location-based communications routing includes determining whether a network apparatus which receives a communication, from a calling party attempting to contact a service corresponding to at least one predefined service area, provides service to at least one of the at least one predefined service area. When the network apparatus provides service to multiple of the predefined service areas, the location-based communications routing includes determining whether the calling party is in one of the at least one predefined service area. When the calling party is in one of the at least one predefined service area, the location-based communications routing includes determining which predefined service area the calling party is in. The communication is routed based upon determining whether the network apparatus provides service to at least one of the at least one predefined service area.

Abstract: A communication network element determines a service provider's routing preference for routing communications and routes these communications from an originating connection address to a destination connection address over a network. The communication network element includes a receiver configured to receive a signal, which comprises the originating connection address and the destination connection address. The communication network element also includes a processor that determines the service provider associated with at least one of the originating connection address and the destination connection address of the received signal. The processor also determines the routing preference associated with the service provider using routing data.