Abstract: A system for a caller to control a distinctive ring for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a feature code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the feature code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response to the service switching point. The response includes a distinctive ring parameter. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the distinctive ring parameter causes a distinctive ring signal to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sending a message to a wireless device over a wireless network includes receiving the message transmitted over an external network in communication with the wireless network or a gateway in the network. The message includes a delivery instruction and delivery information indicating a time at which the message is to be delivered to the wireless device. The wireless network or gateway stores the message, and carries out the delivery instruction by delivering the message to the wireless device at the time indicated by the delivery information.

Abstract: A system and method for generating validated extensible content using (i) a ubiquitous portable application as a lightweight data form entry tool, (ii) a business-specific DTD, and (iii) a transformation extensible stylesheet language construct (XSL). In an exemplary use, the system and method is employed to create advertisements for, e.g., a directory. Basic copy information is received in a first database accessible to advertisement salespeople. A second database that is accessible to a graphics artist periodically receives the basic copy information from the first database.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning an antenna with a satellite. In one embodiment, the device includes a digital compass to provide an azimuth reading of the antenna when the device is removably affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. In another embodiment, the device includes a first digital level that provides an elevation reading of the antenna when the device is affixed to the rear surface of the antenna reflector. Another embodiment includes first and second digital levels that cooperate to emit a skew signal that is indicative of the skew orientation of the antenna when the device is affixed to the antenna. In yet another embodiment by a transmitter that is placed adjacent to a television that is attached to a set top a box that is attached to the antenna.

Abstract: An object shell console attaches to an executing computer application. The object shell console extracts information from the executing application without interrupting or terminating the executing application. The information is displayed to a user on a graphical user interface. The user can choose to have more detailed information about the executing application displayed by request, if such information exists.

Abstract: A privacy system determines in connection with a call from a particular calling party whether a name identification thereof is available, and if so allows the call to be put through to the called party with the name identification. The called party thus can review the name identification of the calling party prior to determining whether to answer the call. The privacy system includes a list of privileged calling parties with respect to and as specified by the called party, and if the name identification is not available, the privacy system determines whether the calling party is on such list. If so, the privacy system allows the call to be put through to the called party without the name identification.

Abstract: A project management process for implementing change requests to a computer application proceeds in stages. In an assessment stage, a project manager determines whether the change request falls within the scope of the computer application. If the project manager deems the change request acceptable, the change request is forwarded to a development lead, a quality assurance (QA) lead, and a documentation lead for approval. The development lead determines whether the change request is technically feasible and if there are any technical issues. The QA lead determines what testing requirements must be met to implement the change request. The documentation lead determines what documentation requirements must be met to implement the change request. If the change request is approved by the development lead, the QA lead and the documentation lead, the change request is implemented. If the change request is not approved, it is rejected or placed on hold.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the safety device includes a frame having a main lever arm and a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises a surface having a plurality of indentations and wherein the main lever arm includes a first elbow and a first upward extending arm at an end opposite the connecting portion. The safety device also comprises an expander lever arm, wherein the expander lever arm includes a second elbow and a second upward extending arm at the end opposite the connecting portion, wherein the main lever arm and the expander lever arm divergently extend from the connecting portion and wherein the expander lever arm is configured to engage and to be adjustable about the connecting portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems for converged service creation and execution. In an embodiment, a system includes an application server and service session manager logic, where the service session manager logic is in communication with the application server. A converged service creation and execution environment messaging bus is in communication with the service session manager logic, and a plurality of service servers are in communication with the converged service creation and execution environment messaging bus.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a call back option to a customer of a call center. According to one embodiment, the system includes a telecommunications switch and an automatic call distributor in communication with the telecommunications switch via first and second communications links. The system also includes means for providing the customer with a call back option in response to a first call from the customer, wherein the first call is routed to the automatic call distributor by the telecommunications switch over the first communications link, and means for establishing a second call between the automatic call distributor and the customer over the second communications link when the customer accepts the call back option.

Abstract: A method of delivering a call to a called party's device. The method includes receiving a call directed to a wireline device and validating that a telephone number of the wireline device is associated with a telephone number of a wireless device. The method also includes transmitting a message to the wireless device, delivering the call to the wireline device when a return message is not received from the wireless device, and determining a location of the wireless device when a return message is received from the wireless device. The method further includes comparing the location of the wireless device with a location of the wireline device, delivering the call to the wireless device when the location of the wireless device is not within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device, and delivering the call to the wireline device when the location of the wireless device is within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for providing real-time access to a network organized repository of data. The system includes a computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing a first set of program instructions and a first memory for storing the first set of program instructions; and a server, in communication with the computing system, the server having one or more processors for executing a second set of program instructions and a second memory for storing the second set of program instructions, the server being configured to support one or more users and to provide shared access to one or more telecommunication computer software programs, the server being coupled to one or more resources for managing, communicating and the storing data and the computer software programs.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and mounting at least one module on a surface may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a housing that may be attachable to a portion of the surface. The housing may have a channel that may be sized to receive and support at least a portion of at least one module. The apparatus may also include at least one mounting member on the housing for attaching the housing to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for determining service requirements of elements in a network. A collection program is used to gather performance data from an element for which a service requirement is desirable by an entity. The performance data is stored in a database. The performance data is then retrieved by a microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the performance data to calculate a network health indicator associated with the performance data. Using the network health indicator, a service requirement of the associated element can be determined. When at least two network health indicators or service requirements of different elements are compared, service priorities among the elements can be established.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary contact aliases is provided. A representative system includes a database system operable to store at least one resource list comprising a plurality of contacts associated with at least one user. The plurality of contacts comprising at least one temporary contact at the instruction of said at least one user, stored in said at least one resource list associated with said at least one user. The system further includes a network interface operable to communicate with a plurality of users, including said at least one user, over a network which is operable to provide a communication medium between the plurality of users. Methods and other systems for temporary contact alias are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for connecting an out-of-market customer to a desired telephone number. The method comprises receiving a customer validation request from a foreign market provider and, in return, providing a random or designated toll-free telephone number to the foreign market provider. Upon receiving a call request from the foreign market provider, the call request is directed to the desired telephone number. The customer validation request may include the desired telephone number and/or a mobile identification number. The call request is based on the provided toll-free telephone number, which is owned by a home market provider.

Abstract: A privacy screening service in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) includes a service node which records a caller's name when a call directed to a subscriber of the service originates at an unknown number. The service node, in turn, places a call to the subscriber and transmits the recorded name together with a signal which is recognizable by a voice mail system. Following the transmission, the service node waits for the subscriber either to accept or reject a call from the caller. When the subscriber's line is answered by a voice mail system, the voice mail system recognizes and acknowledges the signal so that the voice mail system and service node may determine that their call is between two machines and may take appropriate action. One such action is to connect the caller to the subscriber's voice mail and to restart the subscriber's outgoing voice mail greeting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for policy-based management of a multiprotocol label switching (“MPLS”) network. In an embodiment, a system includes a policy-based network administration system, and the policy-based network administration system includes a plurality of policies. The system also includes an MPLS network, which is coupled to the policy-based network administration system.

Abstract: A system and method by which a merchant automatically notifies an outside e-billing vendor of customer account status changes that affect the transfer of billing information between the merchant and the e-billing vendor. The method reads an update file containing service order activities, searches among the activities in the update file for customers enrolled in an e-billing service, determines which of those enrolled customers received a service change that affected their account number, pulls the information associated with each affected account number, places the information in a record formatted as required by the e-billing vendor, and transmits the record to the e-billing vendor to synchronize the account numbers between the merchant and the e-billing vendor.

Abstract: A system for provisioning virtual circuits in broadband access multiplexing elements is disclosed. The system manages an algorithm that selects a unique virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier for each new multiplexor input from a pool. The system sends commands to connect each new input to the multiplexor output based on the selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier. The selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier remain assigned to the input port even if the input connection is later deleted.