Abstract: A method for auditing databases containing records of varied record formats verifies records from a test database against records from a reference database. Records from the test database are converted to test tokens, and records from the reference database are converted to reference tokens. The tokens summarize select fields of data from the records. Thereafter, pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze the tokens to determine Whether the data in the test tokens matches to data in the reference tokens. When an erroneous test token is discovered, an update token is generated to correct a corresponding record in the test database. This method is particularly well suited for auditing enhanced 911 emergency telephone service selective router databases.

Abstract: To provide toll services but limit the amount of such services, toll calls from a party's line are routed to selected calling card type processing equipment. However, so that such calling party's have equal access to multiple carriers and need not dial additional digits, the communications network supplies calling and dialed number information to the processing equipment. The network preferably identifies the call as requiring a special application (without user input of billing number or PIN information). The processing equipment performs all necessary account related screening, e.g. to determine the remaining amount of funds available for the caller's toll services, to route the call and to continuously rate the call cost for the duration of the call. If there are no remaining funds, the call is disallowed. If the funds run-out during the call, the calling card type processing equipment interrupts the call and informs the caller.

Abstract: A communications system including multiple telecommunications networks having common channel signaling hardware is controlled by a hybrid or combination of common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) system with a data internetwork to link the signaling points in the telecommunications network via the new hybrid common channel interoffice switching system. Preferably the internetwork comprises the Internet. The internet is used to link signal switching points, signal transfer points, and a signal control point. The signal control point is preferably hierarchical and distributed so as to provide ample power and capacity to supply signal control for multiple telecommunications networks of related or unrelated operating companies.

Abstract: An Internet telecommunication system in accord with the invention combines the capabilities of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) with those of the internetwork commonly known as the Internet. Functions associated with the Internet Domain Name Server system are enhanced using AIN data and processing. Voice grade telephone calls from a fixed position Internet PC to a roaming wireless personal communication system are enabled. Home Location Register data from the control point of the AIN is forwarded into the Internet Domain Name Server for conditioning the IP lookup and addressing to determine the ultimate call routing. Internet calls may also be automatically completed by the system to addresses other than the ones entered by the caller.

Abstract: In an Advanced Intelligent Network, a central mediation point stores call processing records for controlling call routing and other call processing functions. To provide short code access to information service providers, each information service provider will operate an independent database which stores additional call processing records. When an established subscriber dials the short code, e.g. an N11 code, the mediation point identifies the information provider that the subscriber has previously selected from the subscriber's call processing record stored in the mediation point. The mediation point communicates with that service provider's database to obtain call processing information. The mediation point validates the call processing information for compatibility with network operations. The mediation point forwards validated call processing information to a node of the network to process the call in accord with the information from the provider's database.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method of customized routing in the interconnection of multiple public switched telecommunications networks for both unbundled switching and for resale. The arrangement utilizes a hybrid combination of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), line class codes (LCC), and an adjunct processor to provide customized routing for both unbundled switching and for resale while coping with the varied capabilities and capacities of the switches found in the average public switched telephone network. The primary applications are for unbundlers and resellers to have operator (0+, 0−) calls and directory assistance calls (411/555) routed to their own platforms. The arrangement provides a solution to achievement of relatively rapid implementation in an efficient and economical manner with a minimum of modification to existing plant.

Abstract: An intelligent telephone network provides personalized communication services based on subscriber prescribed double speech signal processing of utterances of both calling and answering parties on a subscriber line having multiple subscribers with a single directory number. Specifically, when one of the multiple subscribers has personalized voice mail service and a busy/no answer call is received, the network uses speech processing of an utterance of the calling party to identify a customer service profile of the called party in the terminating switch. This contains instructions inviting storage of a voice message left by the caller. Upon the subscriber going off-hook, the customer profile of the subscriber line is installed in the switch. The subscriber transmits an utterance and the personalized customer profile of the subscriber is identified by a virtual office equipment number and the profile installed in the switch. The subscriber may then retrieve the stored message.

Abstract: In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method of distributing communication channels to mobile users includes transmitting information signals including at least one of Web related information and Internet related information received via one ore more of the Internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and the at least one information service provider. The method also includes receiving the information signals from one or more of the Internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and the information service provider in the receiver of the mobile terminal, and storing the information signals in its entirety in the mobile terminal prior to broadcasting and/or displaying same to the mobile user. The method also formats, broadcasts and/or displays the information signals after being stored in the mobile terminal.

Abstract: Territorial boundaries and the assignment of responsive telephone numbers are prescribed for a virtual telephone number. Telephone calls placed to that number, even though the territories are within a metropolitan or other relatively local area, are automatically routed to actual telephone numbers so that the responding telephone in each case depends on the territory from which the call is placed. For call processing, a switch receiving a call to a virtual telephone number momentarily suspends call processing and a first database is queried by entry of the calling station identity (ANI). The first database relates the calling station to a geographic location, preferably by postal zip code. Using the zip code, a second database, dedicated to the virtual number and relating zip codes to actual telephone numbers, is consulted. The telephone number assigned to the calling station's zip code is then returned to the switch. The switch resumes processing of the call to route it to that number.

Abstract: Local telephone number portability is effected with automatic changeover of local telephone service for a subscriber station from an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) loop to a competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) loop. A relay device that may be placed remotely at the subscriber's location automatically effects a change in physical connection of the subscriber's line in response to an incoming call routed to the customer premises via the CLEC switching facility. The physical presence of a technician thus is not required at the customer premises at the time changeover of service is made. Delay in the capability of receiving incoming calls at the customer premises during changeover of service is avoided by ensuring that physical reconnection is made only after the appropriate updated routing information has been made to the PSTN network. If a call via the old subscriber service is in progress, automatic reconnection is inhibited until an off-hook condition is realized.

Abstract: A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes a directory object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an interface between the directory object and the gateways. The directory object is preferably provided in hierarchical architecture as a unitary logical object having distributed instances. In addition to the customary address translation capability the directory object polls or communicates with the gateways through the additional interface and provides an intelligent routing function. The directory object is of an enhanced type with access to a storage of customer routing and handling selections.

Abstract: A power feed circuit provides power for a telephone subscriber loop connected to a unit of terminal equipment. The power feed circuit includes a first current supply circuit for supplying power to the subscriber loop when the unit of terminal equipment is in an on-hook condition and when the unit of terminal equipment is in an off-hook condition, and a second current supply circuit for supplying power to the subscriber loop only when the unit of terminal equipment is in the off-hook condition. Each current supply circuit includes a respective battery, transistor and bias network. The first current supply circuit is connected to the subscriber loop via a diode which is reverse-biased when the unit of terminal equipment is in the on-hook condition. The power feed circuit may be usefully applied in an Optical Network Unit (ONU) of a "fiber-in-the-loop" telephone system or in a Subscriber-Cable Interface Unit (SCIU) of a cable telephony system.

Abstract: A number of gateway objects interconnect circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as the telephone network and the Internet, for example to enable telephony communication across the combined networks. A directory object coupled to the packet network provides address translation capability, and the directory object polls or communicates with the gateways to provide an intelligent selection of one of the gateway objects, typically for egress to the telephone network. The system also includes an authorization control object. After gateway selection, a calling terminal attempts communication through the gateway object. The gateway object then queries the authorization control object, which instructs the gateway object to proceed only if the requested communication between the calling terminal and the destination terminal is authorized.

Abstract: An authoring tool is utilized for authoring an interactive multimedia application which eliminates undesired language from an audio source. The application monitors either audio itself or text which accompanies the audio and temporarily stops the audio for a duration corresponding to that of the undesired language optionally replacing it with a beep.

Abstract: A switched telephone network is arranged in a manner to enable packet voice communication between telephone teyminals via multiple redundant packet switched networks. The packet switched networks may utilize different protocols, be operated by different entities, and have primary functions other than voice communication. One example of such a network may be internetworked networks, such as the Internet. One example of an alternate packet switched network may be a network whose primary function is control of a circuit switched telephone network. The common channel interoffice switching system (CCIS) of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is a preferred example.A voice communication link may be established from telephone terminal to telephone terminal via the Internet, the quality of voice communication may be monitored, and the link may be transferred to the common channel interoffice signaling network if and when the quality of voice communication deteriorates beneath a pre-established norm.

Abstract: In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method of distributing communication channels to mobile users includes the steps of receiving information signals including at least one of voice, data, and electronic mail signals broadcast from an external source in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing the information signals in its entirety in at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to a mobile user. The method also includes the steps of controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal, formatting the information signals for broadcasting after being stored in the at least one mobile terminal, and broadcasting the formatted information signals to the mobile user of the at least one mobile terminal.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a program controlled switch and (IP) Module providing signal compression and decompression and packet assembly and disassembly (PAD). The arrangement provides compression and packetizing of digitized voice and data signals between the conventional switch line interface units and the switch fabric, and/or between the line interface units and the time slot interchange in the interface module. Voice channel signals which have been digitized to 64 Kb/s D0 signals are packetized and packet switched to improve the efficiency of the program controlled switch assembly and also provide convenient Internet access via direct connection to ISP routers.

Abstract: An internetwork (such as the Internet) telephony system and method incorporating architecture and methodology which facilitates a high degree of scalability. The scalability provides improvement dealing with usage recording, usage pricing, billing account management, and fraud control. The scalability is achieved primarily by bundling of usage recording, pricing, authorization and billing practices in one logical database object which may be physically distributed. A predefined set of network elements are provided access to the database object to obtain authorization for a call along with limitations on the maximum cost or duration of the call for the particular account involved. The database object records usage statistics relating to the completed call, including pricing, and this data is available for virtually immediate billing. The database object provides to customers on a virtual real time basis the customer's usage statistics, including statistics for a call in progress.

Abstract: To provide interactivity, a public wireless packet data network is combined with a broadband digital broadcast network. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast network utilizes multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcasting the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. Customer premises receiving systems include a receiving antenna and one or more digital entertainment terminals. The terminal includes a channel selector and digital receiver for capturing a digital transport stream from a selected channel. A processor converts selected program information from the transport stream for presentation, e.g. via a television set. The terminal also includes a CPU controlling the operation of the channel selector and the processor in response to user inputs.