Abstract: A method and system for restoration of a fiber communication network through optical tributary switching. Multi-port optical cross-switches switch traffic at the tributary side of lightwave terminal equipment in the event of a network failure. Optical tributary switching is implemented in a variety of all-optical core network architectures including separate disjoint path, link-based mesh, and path-based mesh configurations. Network resiliency is enhanced without introducing loss over a high-speed fiber line or trunk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a telecommunications network and providing data based on such analysis first receives physical topology data for the network based on nodes and their connections in the network. Thereafter, the method and apparatus identify several inter-node configurations in the network. Preferably, the method and apparatus identify six inter-node configurations: stranded network non-rings, non-ring network spurs, stranded network rings, spur nodes with path diversity, network segments with pass-through nodes, and network segments without pass-through nodes. From these six identified inter-node configurations, the method and apparatus identify failure spans or maximum lengths in a network that can be singularly restored.

Abstract: A system and method for using service impact analysis (SIA) to provide a telecommunications network carrier with improved real-time information on network failures. The system monitors a network for faults by collecting fault data. The system assess the fault data to determine the actual service impact at a particular instant in time and the likely cause of the fault. The system also predicts future service impact based on collected historical data of the telecommunications network. The system thus associates equipment failures with actual and potential call traffic impact to provide both customer and network support operations with additional perspective on the service impact of a network equipment failure. This customer oriented view, rather that the traditional network oriented view, is significant in providing imported telecommunications service availability with limited human resources.

Abstract: A system and method for providing security in data communication systems where multiple users are coupled to a common receiving system. The data is encrypted or otherwise encoded by a sender using a key. The encrypted data is then scrambled or otherwise encoded, and transmitted by the sender. The transmitted data is received at a receiver where it is descrambled or otherwise decoded. An authorized user decrypts or otherwise decodes the descrambled data using a key to retrieve clear data. The key itself is encrypted by the sender using an asymmetric encryption algorithm, and is then transmitted by the sender. The authorized user decrypts the encrypted key using the asymmetric encryption algorithm, and uses the key to decrypt the encrypted data.

Abstract: The method any system for nationwide mobile telecommunications billing provides improved efficiency in billing for mobile services. Local mobile networks are communicatively connected by signaling network to a national mobile service platform (MNSP). Traffic event information generated by local mobile networks is collected directly by the NMSP. Traffic event information generated by local landline networks and long distance networks is also collected by the NMSP. The NMSP processes all traffic events for all calls, generates all necessary billing information and returns resulting billing information to other networks only when necessary. In order to simplify NMSP processing, all billing information collected from other networks is formatted to form uniform master call detail records (MCDR). Each MCDR contains all the information necessary for the NMSP to perform its processing. Each MCDR is rated, then billing information is generated.

Abstract: A system allocates data links between a switch and a database for data transactions in a telecommunications network. The data links between the switch and the database carry the transaction data for providing routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. by the database. The Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using the round-robin method, wherein each data link is accessed sequentially to transport the data to and from the database. Alternatively, the Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using dynamic allocation based on the least cost routing between the switch and the database. In the latter mode, the switch uses the least "expensive" database, i.e., database having the least cost routing between the switch and the database, until the volume of data transactions in the data links associated with that database exceeds a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores flexible topology data identifying trunks through adjacent DXC nodes. Changes to trunk connections can be made without knowledge of intermediate site and equipment topology details to test many network scenarios. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS.

Abstract: Telephone calls, data and other multimedia information including video, audio and data is routed through a switched network which includes transfer of information across the internet. Users can participate in video conference calls in which each participant can simultaneously view the video from each other participant and hear the mixed audio from all participants. Users can also share data and documents with other video conference participants. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible, and control network activities from a central site. Billing of the conference call is accomplished utilizing a billing detail record to capture events associated with a call as they occur and debit the appropriate bill.

Abstract: Telephone calls, data and other multimedia information is routed through a hybrid network which includes transfer of information across the internet utilizing telephony routing information and internet protocol address information. A media order entry captures complete user profile information for a user. This profile information is utilized by the system throughout the media experience for routing, billing, monitoring, reporting and other media control functions. Users can manage more aspects of a network than previously possible, and control network activities from a central site. Calling card access is provided for users and supports typical calls as well as media transfers over the hybrid network including over the internet.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the use of a telephone based on usersupplied access criteria. The system includes a database for storing the access criteria. The access criteria can be modified in response to commands received from the telephone. The system also includes a switch, electrically coupled between the telephone and a telephone network, for selectively coupling the telephone and the telephone network based on the access criteria stored in the database.

Abstract: A system and method for processing performance data in a telecommunication system. The system includes a site controller which is part of an element management layer of a network management hierarchy. Briefly stated, the site controller receives performance data from a network element. The performance data is associated with a plurality of ports of the network element. The network element is part of a network element layer of the network management hierarchy. The site controller selects a first port of the network element to process. The site controller determines whether the first port is cross-connected to a second port of the network element. If the first port is cross-connected to the second port, then the site controller combines performance data associated with the first port and performance data associated with the second port into a performance report. The site controller forwards the performance report to a monitoring module.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a root cause of error activity in a network is described herein. Root cause analysis includes the correlation between reported error activity for path, line and section entities along a provisioned channel in the network. Root causes can also be identified based upon the correlation of simultaneous error activity on various signal transport levels. Finally, root cause analysis can correlate error activity along various path entities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoration of unrestored links and nodal failures utilizes a combination of link and path restoration schemes and most existing message types. This invention begins by using a link restoration scheme, when a fault is detected, to designate a pair of custodial sender and chooser. The conventional link restoration scheme then seeks to find an alternate route to reroute the disrupted traffic. When no alternate route is found after a given time period, a special signal is sent out to notify the network that a path restoration is to take place. The communications path on which the failure occurred is identified. Thereafter, data that was stored in the nodes is retrieved to identify the two ends nodes of the communications path. A restoration process then takes place to find alternate paths to replace the failed communications path.

Abstract: A system and method for generating simulated records and transmitting the simulated records to a record processing system to emulate a real-time production environment for testing the record processing system. The present invention comprises a dynamic data tool that inputs a data structure specification file, a test data file, and an optional default data file. The data structure specification file contains the record structures of the simulated records. The test data file contains actual values for the simulated records and calling patterns. The calling patterns specify to the dynamic data tool the number and frequency with which to transmit the simulated records to the record processing system. The optional default data file contains default values for the simulated records.

Abstract: A polarization beam splitter separates the optical data signal into first and second orthogonally polarized optical signals. A first variable time delay element provides a first incremental propagation delay for the first polarized optical signal. A second variable time delay element provides a second incremental propagation delay for the second polarized optical signal. The first and second variable time delay elements consist of a series of optical switches optically interconnected by different incremental lengths of optical fiber. For example, 2.times.2 optical switches are provided for switching between a reference fiber segment and a respective delay fiber segment to provide a relative incremental propagation delay. A controller controls optical switches in the first and second variable switching delay elements to set first and second incremental propagation delays.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for script processing. A new script language and script processing is used to significantly reduce the number of lines required for a script. A script includes a global script segment associated with a script data segment. The global script segment includes global directives (automatic directives and script repeating directives). The script data segment includes command records. Automatic directives are interpreted and repeatedly executed until script processing is complete. Automatic directives can be selectively activated and de-activated by a user. Script repeating directives repeat processing of the script data segment until the script repeating directive is satisfied. A command record includes an operation name field identifying a particular command and one or more operand fields. The operand fields can include single values, a range of values, or substitution codes.

Abstract: A test system for testing a plurality of switches. A test platform requests the resources required for performing a test. A central configuration queue manager determines whether the requested resources are available and allocates the resources to the test platform. After performing the test, the test platform relinquishes (or releases) the allocated resources. The resources may be shared by several test platform. An example of such a shared resource is an operator services trunk. The resources may be dedicated for each test platform also. An example of such a dedicated resource is a switch trunk connecting a switch to a digital cross-connect. The digital cross-connect uses the switch trunk to connect a test platform to the switch upon request from the test platform.

Abstract: A line feed concentrator serves as a network information concentrator having its inputs connected to the outputs of plural adjunct processors. Switches and other network elements are connected to the inputs of a respective adjunct processor. The concentrator compresses data and filters it, thus providing only the type of data required by a specific downstream application. The concentrator incorporates a match/merge subsystem which provides the ability to match/merge network call record files originating at different network elements, but relating to the same call. In essence, the concentrator provides a single point for the call record data from the various network elements thereby facilitating the match/merge function.

Abstract: A system and method for the switches of a telecommunications network to generate call records for telephone calls using a flexible and expandable record format. Upon receipt of a telephone call, a switch in the network analyzes the telephone call to determine whether the default call record is sufficiently large to store call record information pertaining to the telephone call, or whether the expanded call record must be used to store the call information pertaining to the telephone call. After determining which call record to use, the switch generates the default or expanded call record. The switch sends a billing block, comprised of completed call records, to a billing center upon filling an entire billing block.

Abstract: In a self healing network (SHN) distributed restoration algorithm (DRA) scheme, in the case where two adjacent tandem nodes are contending for the same spare link, an arbitration scheme is used to determine which tandem node has the right to reserve the spare link for its use. The arbitration scheme entails a pre-event knowledge by each of the tandem nodes of the transmission time therebetween. A tandem node link arbitration timer in each of the adjacent nodes provides a predefined time period for which a node can compare whether it had begun sending out its flooding signature before the far end node had sent out its. Thus, when a node detects a newly arrived signature received from the spare link that connects the node to its far end node, and if this newly arrived signature is detected before the predefined time period has elapsed, then the node will give up the spare link for the use of the far end node.