Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining information related to a customer service location and directions for routing a service technician from one customer service location to another. One embodiment includes requesting at least one set of coordinates associated with the customer service location; accessing a technician server to direct a global satellite positioning system to obtain the set of coordinates for the customer service location; obtaining the coordinates and updating one or more databases with said coordinates. The coordinates may include at least one of a latitude and a longitude associated with the customer service location.

Abstract: A method and system for routing Calling Name queries in a locally competitive environment includes the creation of a Calling Name query having both the calling party number and the called party number. The query is routed to a service control point of the local exchange carrier, where the called party number is extracted to determine the Calling Name service provider for the called party. The service control point accesses a series of databases to route the Calling Name query to the proper service provider/destination. The databases include a database storing a table of subscribers and their choice for Calling Name service, a database storing porting status of telephone numbers, and a database storing information about distribution of other local number portability databases.

Abstract: As part of electronically handling a large amount of data (e.g., error messages) generated within, for example, a telephone service provider's billing network, a configuration utility software allows a user to electronically change or update various configuration parameters for another software application, e.g., a loader application, and also to access the performance data generated by the loader application so as to optimize the performance of the loader application in varying data transfer situations. The loader application, in turn, is a computer-based data transfer application that electronically loads a large volume of data, e.g., telecommunication billing data, from one computer into another computer. The loader application thus substantially reduces human involvement during transfers of large amount of data, and thereby also reduces errors typically associated with manual data entries by human data operators.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a receiver mast to a structure. The apparatus includes a structure attachment plate, a releasable attachment member, a movable plate releasably attached to the structure attachment plate by the releasable attachment member for movement with respect to the structure attachment plate and a mast fastener for affixing the receiver mast to the movable plate. A leg member may be provided for attaching the structure attachment plate to the structure. A method for mounting a receiver mast to a structure is also disclosed. An assembly mounted to a structure for receiving a signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A telecommunications messaging system, including a server, and a first VMS platform in communication with the server, wherein the first VMS platform includes a service region comparison module. According to one embodiment, the first VMS platform is for transmitting a message from the first VMS platform to a second VMS platform in communication with the first VMS platform, and the service region comparison module is for determining whether the first and second VMS platforms service a common service region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart card that can be personalized with indicia or graphic designs over an entire surface of one face of the smart card. The entire surface of the one face can be utilized for personalization by placing the contact module on an opposite face of the smart card.

Abstract: A method and system for creating automated voice response menus for telecommunications services includes the creation of a task for the menu. The menu includes a group of pre-recorded messages assembled in manner to complete the task. The menu retrieves certain required inputs and certain optional inputs from a subscriber of the telecommunications service. The menu does not permit the user to provide other inputs or to select other menus. Instead, the menu uses straight-line processing to direct the user towards task completion. Once the task is complete, the user is immediately exited from the system.

Abstract: A communication network for providing customized information content via a telephone. The network includes a database storing a profile of the customized information content, and a server in communication with the database for generating an audio-based interface document of the customized information content based on the profile. The network also includes an AIN in communication with the server and in communication with the telephone. The AIN may include a SSP switch, a service control point (SCP), and an intelligent resource server. The intelligent resource server maps incoming telephone calls to the SSP switch to the audio-based interface document generated by the server.

Abstract: A system and method downloads data and reconfigures the data into a database. A telephone user purchases a specific number of lines and specific services (i.e., call waiting) from a telephone company. The telephony company then programs a switch associated with that user so that the user receives the services purchased. The telephone company also inserts the user's purchases into a database used for generating the user's bills. Discrepancies can occur between the data in the switch and the data in the billing database. Billing correction is performed by downloading all of the data within a switch, reconfiguring the data into a database and then comparing the switch database against the billing database to detect billing errors. To facilitate ease of this billing correction process, the switch database is transmitted to the billing correction center via a network instead of the traditional method of using direct tape copies of the switch being physically transported to the billing correction center.

Abstract: A communications process and apparatus is provided with scoped, partially non-geographic addressing. The processes are carried out by one or more switches in a communications system. A first device in the system has a scoped address, including at least one geographic identifier and a customer identifier. A second device sends a setup message with addressing information to a switch in the system. The switch examines the message and consults a database with the customer identification to determine forwarding information. The switch forwards the message to a second device according to the forwarding information obtained from the database. The second device sends a connect message to the first device, thereby establishing a connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide for a unit that is locked against use for communications until the unit is unlocked and that may be activated on a selected network in conjunction with the unit being unlocked. A unit includes a memory for storing an unlock code specific to the unit. The unlock code is used to unlock the unit and is unbreakable without knowledge of a secret code and an algorithm. The unlock code is generated by using the algorithm with the secret code and an identifier unique to the unit. The unit also includes a control for receipt of an input code and a system identification number with the input code and the system identification number having originated from the selected network.

Abstract: A trouble report processing system provides an electronic interface between a telephone company's trouble report input system and its trouble report resolution system. The interface eliminates the need for the trouble report input system to generate a paper ticket that must be carried to a trouble report resolution system. An operator receives a call and generates a trouble report which is stored in the trouble report input system as an electronic trouble ticket. The interface continually, periodically or as desired, monitors the trouble report input system for the presence of new electronic trouble tickets. When the interface finds a new electronic trouble ticket, it acquires the information contained therein and uses it to build a trouble ticket in a format that the trouble ticket resolution system can process.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a cellular service provider during over the air activation of a mobile station includes the steps of programming an A-key value into the mobile station and providing the A-key value to the service provider. The mobile station requests over the air activation by transmitting a registration request to the service provider. The service provider verifies billing information and generates two random numbers. The service provider then performs a first CAVE algorithm using the provided A-key value and the first random number to generate a first shared secret data value. The service provider performs a second CAVE algorithm using the first shared secret data value and the second random number to produce a first authentication value. The service provider then transmits the first and second random numbers along with the authentication value to the mobile station.

Abstract: Routing information between an origination module and a destination module using a routing architecture. After an origination module (OM) receives information, a packet is transmitted to a routing architecture (RA) for routing to a destination module (DM) designated by the router packet. The RA interprets the router packet and adaptively routes the router packet to the DM so that the router packet is quickly processed by the DM. If the DM's queue is empty and the DM is not processing any other packets, the RA places the router packet in the queue and the DM reads its queue to process the router packet. If there is another router packet being processed by the DM, the RA adapts by placing the router packet in the queue. Once processing of the other router packet is complete, the DM processes the router packet in the queue. If there is already another router packet pending within the DM's queue, the RA adapts by creating another DM in memory to process the router packet.