Abstract: A method for restricting the completion of a call made to a subscriber is disclosed. The method includes activating a termination attempt trigger, requesting call-processing instructions in response to detection of the activated termination attempt trigger, receiving call-processing instructions, and redirecting the call responsive to the call-processing instructions.

Abstract: A mobile communication device that has self-contained audio recorder and playback circuitry therein.

Abstract: A method for sending a message from a telecommunications device to a receiving device. The method includes recording the message as an audio file, receiving an address of the receiving device, and sending the audio file as an attachment to an electronic mail message to the receiving device.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing a calling party to transmit a message for scheduled delivery from a network-enabled device. The apparatus includes a server for receiving a message request in response to a command from the network-enabled device, for generating one or more message addresses from the message request, and for transmitting the message request to one or more telecommunication networks corresponding to the one or more message addresses.

Abstract: A system for intelligently sorting e-mail comprises a client which downloads e-mails from a server. Prior to presenting the e-mails to the user, the client sorts the e-mail into classifications based upon whether the e-mail is from a personal contact, i.e. someone that that the user knows, whether the e-mail is from a commercial vendor from whom the user has indicated that he or she wishes to accept commercial e-mail, or whether the e-mail is from an unknown source. The client presents the e-mails to the user in these classifications.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for automatically notifying a network administrator of a mismatch between a current software version level in a telecommunications switch and a corresponding entry in a database. The apparatus includes a computer for querying the telecommunications switch for the current software version level of the switch and for querying the database, wherein the database is associated with a switch translation system and the database includes an entry associated with the software version level of the switch. The computer compares the current software version level of the switch with the database entry associated with the software version level of the switch.

Abstract: A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.

Abstract: The present invention uses a software program to analyze all of the SS7 message traffic in a telephone network. By comparing point codes in the message data, the present invention can detect invalid and undesirable network inefficiencies in different types of telephone networks, including for example, wireline, wireless, or hybrid networks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for intellectual property asset selection and protection. In an embodiment, an intellectual property selection system receives from an innovator an innovation submission describing an innovation. An intellectual property protection system receives at least a portion of the innovation submission and manages obtaining an intellectual property legal right related to the innovation. An intellectual property asset management system receives and stores at least one of an innovation description and an intellectual property legal right description, where the innovation description is based at least in part on the at least a portion of the innovation submission and the intellectual property legal right description is based at least in part on the intellectual property legal right.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system having at least two communicants (i.e., a caller and a callee), a system and method are presented for collecting information associated with the geographical location of either of the communicants from a server. In one embodiment, the approach entails receiving an invite to an Internet telephony session from an Internet telephony caller device, wherein the invite to the Internet telephony session includes an Internet address of the Internet telephony caller device. Additionally, the approach includes a retrieving of a geographical location corresponding to the Internet address of the Internet telephony caller device, and collecting geographical location information associated with the retrieved geographical location.

Abstract: A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing congestion detection and connection admission control for a communications network utilizing the observed one-way delay of packets transmitted through the network are described. Embodiments of the present invention provide endpoints on the network, which can anticipate congestion accurately enough to prevent packet loss and excess delay while, at the same time, fully utilizing network resources. In one embodiment of the present invention, a communications service provider replaces conventional tandem switches in a public switched telephone network with Internet protocol (IP) tandems. The IP tandem includes a media gateway, which performs congestion admission control for voice over IP (VoIP) communications. When delay in the communications network exceeds a delay threshold, the media gateway may reject the communications request or may route the request over an alternative channel.

Abstract: An integrated telephone user interface (TUI) system permitting switching between Dual Tone Multi-Frequency and voice operating command modes. This system provides the user with access to either command mode and allows the user to toggle among the two command modes while each command mode remains functionally distinct from the other. For example, when receiving a call, the TUI prompts the user to select either the voice-based or the tone-based command mode. After receiving an input from the user that activates one of the command modes, the user may initiate a desired TUI operation while in the active command mode. However, the user can also interrupt the active command mode and switch to another operationally distinct command mode. In response to the interruption, the system translates command modes to allow the user to resume TUI operation in the other command mode.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the status of a plurality of service package applications operating on a service node of a telecommunications network. A heartbeat message generating application is stored on the service node and includes a shared database that is accessible by at least two of the plurality of service package applications. A heartbeat message receiving application is stored on a service control point (SCP) that is in communication with the service node, the heartbeat message receiving application including a status database that includes records for monitoring the status of the at least two of the plurality of service package applications. The heartbeat message generating application generates a heartbeat message containing information retrieved from the shared database and sends the heartbeat message to the heartbeat message receiving application where the information is extracted and used to update the status database.

Abstract: The present invention discloses in one embodiment a mobile telephone capable of communicating with a home base station through radio signals. The mobile telephone registers with a home base station before beginning to communicate with the home base station. The home base station is capable of sensing the presence of the mobile telephone in its coverage area and subsequently establishing contact with the mobile telephone, if the mobile telephone is registered with the home base station. The home base station can support a plurality of telephone devices, including corded and cordless telephone devices, and provides call placement and answering services to these telephone devices if there is a registered mobile telephone within its coverage area.

Abstract: A method of processing a collect call. The method includes receiving a request for a collect call from a calling party and transmitting information required pursuant to a detariffing order to a called party.

Abstract: Systems and methods to integrate processing of information from a plurality of data systems. In an embodiment, a system includes a network connection, which can receive information sent to and from a terminal. The network connection is coupled to a first network, and the first network is coupled to the terminal. The system can also include a plurality of data system connections, where each data system connection of the plurality of data system connections can receive information sent to and from a respective data system of a plurality of data systems. A server is coupled to the network connection and the plurality of data system connections. In an embodiment, the server includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory can include a plurality of data system instructions objects, where each data system instructions object of the plurality of data system instructions objects corresponds to a respective data system of the plurality of data systems.

Abstract: Call detail service is provided using a trigger that only activates after the disposition of a telephone call is known, for example, a T-Busy and/or a T_NoAnswer. When a telephone call encounters the T-Busy or T_NoAnswer trigger a terminating central office switch attempts to complete the call. If the call is not completed because it is busy or not answered, the information related to the call is sent to a service control point. The service control point creates a call information record. The call information record is sent to a service management system that used the call information record to create a call detail report. Using the T_Busy and/or T_NoAnswer triggers eliminates the need to collect data for every telephone call to determine which calls are not completed because they are not answered or busy. As a result processing complexity and storage requirements are significantly reduced.

Abstract: An outside Plant Construction Management (OSPCM) system simplifies and mechanizes many aspects of operating a facility, such as a Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC). The OSPCM system performs a configuration function and this data is input to the awarded contract which entails breaking the job into its constituent tasks, sequencing the tasks, prioritizing the tasks, and scheduling the tasks. The OSPCM system completes the scheduling task by assigning the tasks to supervisors and/or to outside contractors. The OSPCM system automatically manages the materials required for tasks by determining what and when it is needed, ordering what is available from within inventory, and ordering necessary materials from outside providers. When a task is completed, the contractor accesses the OSPCM system and marks the task as completed. The OSPCM system then forwards invoices to the voucher system for those cases where work is completed as designed.

Abstract: A method of organizing information related to content. A plurality of categories related to the content is identified along with a plurality of elements associated respectively with at least a subset of the categories. The categories and elements are arranged in a hierarchical structure. Then, a computer readable format is encoded with the hierarchical structure as well as with the information related to the content in accordance with the hierarchical structure. The categories and elements relate to a predetermined business.

Abstract: A plastic encapsulant for a semiconductor chip comprises an epoxy resin, an organosilicon compound, a hardener, a pigment, and an organic solvent. The epoxy resin is an epichlorohydrin-bisphenol A type epoxy resin, and the organosilicon compound is an organosilicon compound with a methoxy group, preferably, three methoxy groups. The hardener is a resol type phenol resin hardener. The organic solvent is a mixture of ketones, alcohols, and aromatic hydrocarbons.