Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for emulating a telecommunications network by simultaneously emulating multiple independent activities normally performed by multiple network devices in a telecommunications network includes a network interface for communicating with a control system, a user interface for accepting user input and for providing user output, a command response manager for reading control system commands and for formulating intelligent responses, a script interpreter for executing scripts, a script database containing data from actual network devices for use by the scripts, a database manager for performing database functions and a multi-tasking system manager for controlling these logical components and for interacting with an operating system of a host computer to provide for invoking and terminating various processes. The system provides both script and non-script responses to a control system in order to emulate digital matrix switches.

Abstract: Telecommunications networks for originating and terminating calls are described to include a wireless enhanced service platform coupled to a home location register database and a prepaid platform which may also include a mobile switching center for accepting calls from a wireless handset, an interexchange network that carries calls to the prepaid platform, and a local network for terminating calls. Also described is a method for setting up a call in a telecommunications network by a wireless enhanced service platform or mobile switching center encapsulating one or more prepaid call parameters within a super generic digit field of an initial address message. The method also includes sending the initial address message with the prepaid call parameters encapsulated within the super generic digit field from the wireless enhanced service platform or mobile switching center to a prepaid platform.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting optical faults by tapping a portion of a data signal from along a fiber network link at an optical switching site or node. The tapped data signal is evaluated to determine whether an optical fault exists along the fiber link. In this way, optical faults such as a fiber failure, cable cut, or nodal LTE failure occurring within a network path, are isolated to a specific fiber span or link. Network switch controllers can then take full advantage of optical switches provided between spans in an all-optical core network to restore end-to-end path communication. In one embodiment, a presence detector simply evaluates the magnitude of the tapped signal to determine an optical fault. In a second embodiment, a protocol analyzer evaluates selected bits or fields of the protocol used in the tapped data signal to determine an optical fault. Finally, in a third embodiment, a sub-carrier modulation signal is added to the high rate data signal prior to transport over the link.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a telecommunications network. The system and method employs a network management architecture that provides an overlay in which network management functions are performed. The network management architecture includes a workstation function that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for a user to interact with an object model of the physical telecommunications network, a telecommunications network management subsystem that provides an object model of the network including object models of network equipment and connectivity between the equipment, a database subsystem that stores “current” and “future” views of the network, and an object request broker that translates objects from a first object-oriented paradigm to a second object-oriented paradigm for use by the GUI. The network management architecture facilitates network design by determining network performance metrics.

Abstract: A communication system includes an interface between two networks, for example the public telephone system and an IP-based network. The system includes a modem bank which receives bearer channel inputs and provides outputs to the second network. A protocol converter interfaces with a signaling network such as a common channel signaling (CCS) network (e.g., an Signaling System 7 network). The protocol converter communicates signaling information to the modem bank. A resource manager is coupled to the protocol converter and includes a memory which stores status information relating to the system.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the sale of a lottery ticket online includes and involves a data storage system and a data processing system. The data storage system is used for storing information related to a lottery ticket purchased online and to a purchaser of the lottery ticket. The lottery ticket includes a lottery game value. The data processing system is coupled to the data storage system and is operative to receive an online request from the purchaser to purchase the lottery ticket, to generate a secure lottery ticket purchase code, and to issue a purchase confirmation notice related to the lottery ticket to the purchaser. The purchase confirmation notice includes the secure lottery ticket purchase code. The data processing system is further operative to store the information and the lottery ticket purchase code in the data storage system.

Abstract: A method and system of emulating a T1 link over an ATM network. A T1 line carrying a stream of T1 frames is terminated at a first ATM Data Terminating Equipment (DTE). T1 frames are loaded into ATM cells and sent over an ATM network to a second ATM DTE. The T1 frames are unloaded at the second ATM DTE, and sent to a switch matrix to be de-multiplexed. In one example of T1 emulation, two T1 payloads are inserted in each ATM cell payload. The corresponding T1 frame bits replace the two least significant bits in the VCI field of the ATM cell header. For quasi-fractional T1 emulation, three or four quasi-fractional T1 payloads can be carried in the ATM cell payload. For fractional T1 emulation, multiple fractional T1 payloads are carried in a fractional payload field, and a frame bit field is created in the ATM cell payload to carry the T1 frame bits. The use of a T1 framer at the second DTE is avoided by insuring the T1 frame bit positions are constant over successive ATM cells.

Abstract: An individual education program tracking system provides an automated means for creating and administering an entire individual education plan. Embodied in a computer software program and network, the individual education program tracking system enables teachers, school administrators, counselors and parents to enter a student profile, create an individual education plan for the student based on the student's profile, track the student's progress, and perform periodic evaluations and assessments. The individual education program tracking system also automates the completion and submission of various forms as required by a school district or state department of education. The individual education program tracking system integrates and automates procedures that meet a state's or district's legal requirements for administering an individual education plan, such as entry qualification evaluations and parental authorization.

Abstract: A TCP/IP-based client-server interface for sending service requests from a client computer to a Network Information Distribution Services server. The TCP/IP-based client-server interface is an easily implemented and economical alternative to the proprietary UDP/IP-based client-server interface developed for communication between client computers and Network Information Distribution Services servers. A service request is sent to a specific TCP/IP logical port associated with a particular type of service. A process associated with the specific TCP/IP logical port formats the request in the same manner as requests received through the proprietary UDP/IP-based client-server interface are formatted, and then directs the formatted requests to the Network Information Distribution Services server process that executes the requests.

Abstract: A system for mapping an incoming protocol message to an operations system protocol message employs data tables each linked relationally to other data tables. At least one of the data tables represents an autonomous message to event map listing incoming protocol messages and their corresponding operations system protocol messages, and at least another of the data tables represents a non-autonomous message to directive map listing incoming protocol messages and their corresponding operations system protocol messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent call processor, an intelligent switching node and an intelligent communications network for use in a communications system. The intelligent call processor comprises a logical platform having a plurality of functions wherein at least one of the functions is service processing function, at least one of the functions is call processing, and at least one of the functions is facility processing, and a processor for executing the plurality of functions. The intelligent switching node comprises an intelligent call processor and, a resource complex communicably linked to the intelligent call processor and logically separated from the intelligent call processor.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a telecommunications network. The system and method employs a network management architecture that provides an overlay in which network management functions are performed. The network management architecture includes a workstation function that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for a user to interact with an object model of the physical telecommunications network, a telecommunications network management subsystem that provides an object model of the network including object models of network equipment and connectivity between the equipment, a database subsystem that stores “current” and “future” views of the network, and an object request broker that translates objects from a first object-oriented paradigm to a second object-oriented paradigm for use by the GUI. The network management architecture facilitates network design by determining network performance metrics.

Abstract: A one-number communications service system for a subscriber that allows completion of calls to designated wireless or wireline communications terminals through the use of a single assigned telephone number. The system includes a local wireline switch that is coupleable to a wireline terminal, and a wireless switch that is coupleable to a wireless terminal. A switched telephone network is coupled between the switches to thereby define a combined switching arrangement for directing and completing a call to and from the terminals upon receiving routing instructions. A data signaling network is coupled to the combined switching arrangement for controlling switching operations when the call is made. A database management system is coupled to the data signaling network and accessible to the switches. The database management system includes a telephone number assigned for use by the subscriber and routing instructions assigned to the telephone number for allowing access to the terminals.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system executes a number n of logical units of work before interrupting a task. A logical unit of work is defined as a set of one or more computer instructions, the completion of which is a logical stopping point with few or no temporary variable to store. A logical unit of work can be, for example, one or more instructions in a stream of instructions, where each instruction requires a number of individual computer code instructions to execute. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented as a controller application which operates under an existing operating system. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an integral part of an operating system. In operation, the present invention performs a number n of logical units of work for a first task or process.

Abstract: An automated method of and apparatus for Internet address management is provided. The method and apparatus receive requests for a host name/IP address assignment and automatically performs error checking on the request. The method and apparatus determine if there are available addresses in the address space for the requested subnet and if the new host name meets the requisite criteria for a valid host name. Once error checked, the requested amount of IP addresses are created and inspected for uniqueness. Individual host names are created and inspected for uniqueness prior to being assigned to respective IP addresses. Once assigned, the new host names/IP addresses are entered into the DNS database. Accordingly, the automated method and apparatus is less time consuming while being free from errors arising in prior Internet address management methods.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of objects on a GUI to perform common and routine tasks. A windowed application program is provided that allows the user to define an object chain containing handles to application objects appearing on the user's GUI. Each object chain is associated with a particular keystroke sequence which is selected by the user when defining the corresponding object chain. The user may toggle through many applications, and associated objects, by depressing the corresponding hot-key. A pointer in a chain table keeps track of the next application in the chain. The chain table can be temporary or permanent.

Abstract: A system that tracks the current and historical locations of a GPS locator device carried by a person provides widely available access to data referencing these locations, so that a parent can easily and frequently monitor the location of a child. Monitoring of a child's location may be conducted via a Web site, which provides graphical maps of location data, or via calling into a call center. The present invention also provides a means for a parent to trigger the automatic transmission of the device's location, via a Web site or call placed to a call center agent or a VRU. The present invention also provides a process of auto-notification of a device's movement that exceeds a pre-specified threshold. The present invention also includes a capability to function as a proximity alert device.

Abstract: A method of setting up a conference has the following steps: 1) selecting a conference bridge (68) and a conference number; 2) dialing a conference number; 3) when a private branch exchange (52) seizes an off-network trunk (55), receiving the conference number at a interexchange carrier service switching point; 4) routing the conference call to a local exchange carrier service switching point (74); 5) routing the conference call over a dedicated access line (78) to an on-network service switching point (76); 6) triggering on the conference call at the on-network service switching point (76); 7) sending a query to a service control point (58); 8) receiving a routing instructions from the service control point (58); and 9) routing the conference call to the conference bridge (68).

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide restoration of coincident line and facility failures. The system of the present invention includes light termination equipment (LTE) that is capable of detecting failures, determining the type of component that failed, determining which restoration facility to use based on the type of component that failed, and providing restoration. The system of the present invention also includes spare capacity for restoration, including protect channels and an optical restoration network. In addition, the system of the present invention includes an optical cross connect switch (OCCS) that is capable of switching electrical signals to the optical restoration network. The method of the present invention is involves detecting a failure, determining the type of component that failed, and sending an alarm to a centralized management center.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network gateway that allows communication between telecommunications network component that use different protocols. In one embodiment, the advanced intelligent network gateway is used to communicate between a manual operator console that are processing a customer's telephone call and a service data point which is a database containing information needed to process the customer's telephone call. However, the advanced intelligent network gateway may also be used to receive and transmit messages between other telecommunications components. In addition, methods for protocol conversion are described. One method for protocol conversion is for the conversion of a transaction capabilities application part message from a user datagram protocol/internet protocol implementation to a transmission control protocol/internet protocol implementation or vice versa. Methods for receiving and transmitting transaction capabilities application part messages are also described.