Abstract: A method of processing ATM service requests to a SONET network, wherein the customer requesting the service has specified certain ATM quality of service parameters, by mapping measured SONET performance parameters to predicted ATM quality of service parameters for an end-to-end path or connection through the SONET network. The system compares the predicted ATM quality of service parameters with the specified ATM quality of service parameters. Whenever at least one of the expected ATM quality of service parameters is worse than the corresponding specified ATM quality of service parameter, the system rejects the path or connection. The system may then either test an alternate path through the network or not provide the service.

Abstract: Method and system for calling card validation hubbing provides a hubbed architecture for communicating validation messages relating to a calling card number to be validated between a telecommunications network which accepts a calling card call and the telecommunications network which issued the card. The hubbing system provides transport links and protocol translation between ANSI SS7, ITU CCS7 and X.25 for each telecommunications network which is attached. When an attached telecommunications network accepts a calling card call, an authorization request including calling card number is sent to the hubbing system, translated to the protocol used by the card issuing network and transported to the card issuing network for validation. Also communicated are request responses, which indicate success or failure of validation, and call disposition messages, which provide a timely estimate of call duration and charges.

Abstract: An automated method to determine the real-time status of a currently running batch program on a mainframe computer system. Output from a tape management reporting system is processed so that relevant information pertaining to the progress of a currently running batch program is extracted and derived therefrom. New reports are generated that reveal the current status of the batch program in terms of the processing time of the dataset associated with the batch program. The new reports disclose useful status information such as the total number of volumes that comprise the dataset, the sequence number of the current volume being processed, the amount of time the currently running batch program used to process the volumes already processed, and the amount of time the previously run batch program used to process the volumes that have not yet been processed by the currently running batch program.

Abstract: A polarization mode compensation system and method using optical switch elements to establish incremental delays between different polarization modes of an optical data signal is provided. A polarization mode separator separates the optical data signal into first and second orthogonally polarized optical signals. A first variable switching delay element provides a first incremental propagation delay for the first polarized optical signal. A second variable switching delay element provides a second incremental propagation delay for the second polarized optical signal. The first and second variable switching 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.

Abstract: A telecommunication services test system which can be used to automatically interact with automated response units and the like. The test system provides a means to automate test cases for services that previously could not be automated due to the requirement of human interaction. A sound generator is coupled with a call generator via an interface device. A controller is coupled with both the call generator and the sound generator devices. The controller controls the call generator and the sound generator through the use of a test case scripts that are designed to test particular telecommunication services that are coupled with a communications network. The controller executes test cases that can direct the sound generator to transmit and/or receive audio signals, including speech signals to and from the call generator in response to audio signals and speech signals originating from the telecommunication service under test.

Abstract: The present invention automatically monitors a Data Center Operations (DCO) network (or any LAN/WAN network) for circuit outages and sends a notification if an outage is detected. A console at a Remote Operations Center periodically pings a console at each Data Center (pinging may also be on-demand). The remote console receives responses from each pinged Data Center console. A response will be received for each possible route between the Data Center and the Remote Operations Center. These responses will indicate the route that was taken. The routes indicated in the responses are then compared with a table of routes previously identified as routes of concern or interest. Also listed in this table is a circuit identifier for each route. Any route listed in this table for which a response was not received is identified as unavailable. An automatic notification, such as a page, is then sent identifying this route by the circuit identifier.

Abstract: Communication activated processing is described herein. A connection is established between a first user at a computer and a second user. For example, establishment of this connection may involve the computer initiating an outbound telephone call to the second user, or the computer receiving an inbound telephone call from the second user. The computer determines whether the second user is configured in a condition table. If the second user is configured in the condition table, then an application associated with the second user is automatically, and optionally, invoked in the computer subject to any active conditions associated with the second user. That is, the application associated with the second user may be automatically invoked only if any active conditions associated with the second user are satisfied.

Abstract: A voice-pager system that facilitates reception of audio messages by a pager (or voice-pager). The voice-pager is similar to a telephone answering machine. The voice-pager system facilitates transference of greater information content because more information can be entered in a given period of time by a user by spoken voice than with a keyboard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a change-of-state (COS) report network fully tests a monitor and/or control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a COS report network are emulated for selected report network configurations, events, and/or COS indications. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated report network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current status of the report network of state monitoring devices. In response to MCS polling, an emulator message generator generates intelligent responses based on the configuration data which emulate communications from a report network of state monitoring devices to the MCS in response to such MCS polling. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included.

Abstract: A deterministic approach further refines the self healing network (SHN) distributed restoration algorithm (DRA) used for restoring traffic disrupted between two adjacent nodes. Upon detection of a fault, the sender node constructs a restoration signal that includes a weighed identifier field. The restoration message is broadcast to tandem nodes each of which had been provisioned with a memory table having stored therein a plurality of weights each associated with a particular spare link connected to the node. Upon detection of an incoming restoration message, a tandem node retrieves from its table the weight associated with the spare link from which the restoration message was received. The weighed identifier is retrieved from the restoration message and updated with the weight that the tandem node had retrieved from its table.

Abstract: A flexible service access code (FLEX SAC) permits originating callers to dial up to a fifteen-digit extension in place of a traditional service access code (SAC), such as for example a "700", "800", and "900" extension followed by a seven-digit extension. In addition to providing the originating caller, the destination caller, and the long distance carrier greater flexibility in the digits dialed for a SAC call, FLEX SAC permits routing on private trunks and remote access trunks, as well as the shared access trunks conventionally used for SAC calls. If the switch supports FLEX SAC calls, a FLEX SAC table (pertaining to the originating trunk group over which the call was routed) is parsed to find the called number. If the called number is found in the FLEX SAC table, additional fields indicating ANI screening, OLI screening, external routing, and the transaction group are parsed in the relevant FLEX SAC table.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the accuracy of a network time protocol (NTP) client in a network that includes a time server that receives time information from a time source. The method polls the time source and the NTP client for timestamps at a regular time interval. The polling of the NTP client is offset from the polling of the time source by a fixed time offset. The method analyzes timestamps received from the time source and the NTP client in response to polling.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deterring fraudulent use of a fixed wireless telephone, comprising sensing motion of the telephone with a motion sensor and preventing operation of the telephone after it has been placed in motion and until entry of a security code to reset operation of the telephone. A central facility may also be automatically notified in the event movement of the telephone is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network, such as a DXC 1/0 network, fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network at the channel level 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. Configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. Topology data traces logical trunks or channels through adjacent DXC nodes. The topology data further includes port provision data identifying the allocation of channels for cross-connected ports at DXC nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for the switches of a telecommunications network to create and transport a network call identifier (NCID) which uniquely identifies a telephone call as it traverses through a telecommunications network. Upon receipt of a telephone call in a switch, the switch first determines whether it has received an NCID with the telephone call. If the switch received an NCID, the switch determines whether it is a valid NCID and should be transported with the telephone call. If the received NCID should not be transported, the switch discards the received NCID and creates a new NCID for the telephone call. Alternatively, upon the receipt of a telephone call, if the switch determines that a NCID was not received, the switch determines if an NCID should be created. The switch creates an NCID if it determines that an NCID should be created for the telephone call. If the NCID is created or kept, the switch stores the NCID in an appropriate call record that contains information about the telephone call.

Abstract: A test system and method that generates and executes test calls and verifies signaling for test calls using in-band, out-of-band and ISDN signaling. The test system captures signaling data from the origination and termination sides of test calls that use both in band, out-of-band and ISDN signaling techniques. The captured data is saved in a computer file and stored in a computer database for subsequent use. When the test case is subsequently executed, the captured data is retrieved from the database and used to verify signaling data by comparing the captured data from the test call with the previously captured data. The test case generator builds test calls by presenting to a user, a menu for each step in a test call. The user creates test calls by selecting list items and by entering keyboard data where appropriate. In this fashion, test calls are created without needing specialized knowledge of specific languages used by test call execution systems.

Abstract: A Data Enhancement Engine uses a novel object-oriented architecture to provide real-time data enhancement on event records. The architecture is highly scalable so that new data enhancement processes are added quickly and easily, allowing client system requirements to be met in minimal time. In the preferred embodiment, the Data Enhancement Engine is employed in a Network Information Concentrator for a telecommunications network. It receives a real-time feed of event records from a network information distributor process and activates specific enhancement processes based on filtering criteria. These enhancement processes are realized with derivable object classes. They will retrieve appropriate data from an object database and enhance the record with that data. The Data Enhancement Engine will then format the enhanced record according to a specific client's requirements, and send the record to the client. There is a distinct record receiving and filtering process defined for each client system.

Abstract: A communication system includes at least one mobile communication device having a message indicator device, and a voice mail messaging center. The voice mail messaging center includes a voice mailbox associated with the at least one mobile communication device. The voice mail messaging center directs a call to the voice mailbox associated with the at least one mobile communication device for recording a message when the mobile communication device is unable to receive the call. The voice mail messaging center optimizes communication from the messaging center to the mobile communication device by sending a first message indicator to the mobile communication device when a voice mail message is recorded and the voice mailbox previously contained no messages, a second message indicator when the voice mailbox is full, and a third message indicator when the voice mailbox becomes empty.

Abstract: A system and method monitors a wireless network such that degradation of performance, as measured by such performance parameters as data throughput and service availability is estimated accurately on a real time basis. The system and method scan each cell in a wireless telecommunications network for cell statistics data. Using the scanned cell statistics data, the system and method generate a model of the performance of the telecommunications network by modeling each cell in the network. The model is based on a control system relationship. Using the control system relationship, the system and method forecast the performance of the cells between actual data collection times. Forecasting the state of the cells reduces the amount of data required to monitor the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A data management system is connected to a Signaling System 7 telecommunications network (SS#7). Network elements and other data sources of the SS#7 network provide alarm data to the management system when problems occur with the network. The data management system includes a database library that classifies the problem and provides prioritized resolutions, based on past historical events. The library continues to expand with data each time an alarm is resolved. Data from the network elements are also stored for generation of reports, such as those dealing with configuration, performance, faults, and security.