Abstract: A method and system for remotely testing a communication network provides dynamic internet access to remote test systems. Internet (TCP/IP) connections are established between remote network terminal elements. An internet connection processor is coupled between remote end-user terminals and remote test systems or units. A remote user connects to the internet connection processor through an internet data link between the remote user terminal and the internet connection processor. Once a remote user is validated and logged in, the user is provided with a display of available remote test system sites supported by the internet connection processor. The user selects a remote test site and an appropriate format in which connectivity is desired. The internet connection processor translates the remote site selection input to a corresponding internet address based on pre-loaded cross-reference data file.

Abstract: An optical cross connect device for switching light signals including a plurality of first optical fiber light guides positioned substantially parallel to each other. Each of the first optical fiber light guides includes a core and cladding, and each of the first optical fiber light guides has formed therein a plurality of linearly spaced apart notches through the cladding to expose the core. A plurality of substantially parallel second optical fiber light guides having cores and cladding, and being notched in similar fashion to the first optical fiber guides, are engaged with the first optical fiber guides to form a plurality of junctions. Each of said junctions normally forms a discontinuity of refractive indices and absorption with the cores of the first and second optical fiber light guides.

Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent protection against access line failures in a telecommunications system including customer premises equipment connected by a plurality of access lines to a data transport network. The system detects a line fault on a first access line at the customer premises equipment. In response to the detection of a line fault, the system sends a query to the network management system of the data transport network to determine the origin of the line fault. The system receives a response to the query from the network management system and uses the response to deal with the line fault in an intelligent manner. Whenever the network management system responds to the query by indicating that the line fault originated in the data transport network, the system maintains the connection and waits for the failure to be resolved.

Abstract: A system and method for performance monitoring of a telecommunications network that uses a layered performance monitoring structure. First, the monitoring points within the network are identified according to a customer request. The customer request is used to generate a service provisioning request, which indicates the path endpoints and the desired level of service. If the service is a digital data service and is supported for monitoring purposes, the network elements closest to the path endpoints are identified as primary monitoring points and activated, and based upon the desired level of service, a number of intermediate secondary points along the path are also identified but not activated. If the service is not a digital data service but the customer desires monitoring, then monitoring points are similarly identified and activated. Second, an end-to-end threshold is set for each service requiring thresholding per the service provisioning request.

Abstract: A system and method for protocol translation. The system includes an SS7 Module for sending and receiving a plurality of incoming and outcoming SS7 queries and response. The system also includes an Inbound Subsystem Module, coupled to the SS7 Module, for translating the incoming SS7 queries from a SS7 protocol to a non-SS7 protocol. The translated incoming queries are forwarded to an end user while in the non-SS7 protocol. The Inbound Subsystem Module also translates any responses corresponding to the incoming SS7 queries from the non-SS7 protocol to the SS7 protocol. The system further includes an Outbound Subsystem Module, coupled to the SS7 Module, for translating outgoing SS7 queries from the non-SS7 protocol to the SS7 protocol. The translated outgoing queries are sent via the SS7 module across an SS7 network. The Outbound Subsystem Module also translates SS7 responses corresponding to the outgoing SS7 queries from the SS7 protocol to the non-SS7 protocol.

Abstract: The termination availability database (TADB) of the instant invention performs routing decisions in response to call requests received from data access points (DAPs). The TADB takes each of the requests, which relate to a special service call of a subscriber, and determines the particular termination of the subscriber to which the call is to be routed. To perform its determination of where to route the calls, the TADB takes into consideration data collected from the network and the availability of the different terminations of the subscriber. In addition, allocation algorithms are used.

Abstract: A system and method for performance monitoring of a telecommunications network that uses a layered performance monitoring structure. First, the monitoring points within the network are identified according to a customer request. The customer request is used to generate a service provisioning request, which indicates the path endpoints and the desired level of service. If the service is a digital data service and is supported for monitoring purposes, the network elements closest to the path endpoints are identified as primary monitoring points and activated, and based upon the desired level of service, a number of intermediate secondary points along the path are also identified but not activated. If the service is not a digital data service but the customer desires monitoring, then monitoring points are similarly identified and activated. Second, an end-to-end threshold is set for each service requiring thresholding per the service provisioning request.

Abstract: The termination availability database (TADB) of the instant invention performs routing decisions in response to call requests received from data access points (DAPs). The TADB takes each of the requests, which relate to a special service call of a subscriber, and determines the particular termination of the subscriber to which the call is to be routed. To perform its determination of where to route the calls, the TADB takes into consideration data collected from the network and the availability of the different terminations of the subscriber. In addition, allocation algorithms are used. Some of these algorithms include a precise percentage algorithm, a uniform call distribution algorithm, a sequential allocation routing algorithm, and a pure load balancing algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportable communications system that may be used to provide supplemental communications to a geographic region. The transportable communications system may be used during a special event, such as an emergency. The present invention may be comprised of one or more cell sites, wired access points, and a common point which facilitate communications between one or more user terminals and an established communications network. The established communications network may be a telephone network. The present invention may also employ a cellular network topology.

Abstract: Method and apparatus allow a caller to contact a called party with a collect call whether or not the called station is answered or is busy. When the caller dials a collect call access code, the call is routed to a messaging platform which collects the call information and attempts to complete the call. If there is no answer or if the called station is busy, the messaging platform retains control of the call and automatically prompts the caller to enter a name and a message to be delivered to the called party. After the name and message have been entered, the caller is given a confirmation number, if desired, which allows the caller to determine whether the called party has received the message. The messaging platform repeatedly attempts to deliver the message by calling the called party. Upon the call being answered, the messaging platform identifies the caller and prompts the called party to accept or refuse the collect message.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating a problem in a network. Upon a report of error activity in a first signal transport level, a first layer in the network management system uses performance data to identify the highest signal transport level that exhibits simultaneous error activity. The first layer attempts to isolate the problem if it determines that it has access to enough information.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring communication between at least one pair of nodes in a network. Distributed intelligence is provided by messaging between adjacent nodes in the network. The messages in combination with user-configurable timers and rules provide fault isolation, forward flooding, reverse linking and connection.

Abstract: A system and method for photonic facility and line protection switching in an optical network to permit fault tolerant operation. The optical network comprises components whose operation is monitored by a controller. If the controller determines an optical transmission line in a signal path has failed, the controller will re-route the signal path through a spare, or protect component. Alternatively, the controller can re-route the signal path through a frequency translator and another optical transmission line.

Abstract: An intelligent services network platform (ISN) of a telephone carrier network is equipped with a fax store and forward system (FSFS) capable of relaying fax transmissions between a customer's fax machine and an international destination. An autodialer associated with the fax machine automatically dials an 800 number designating the FSFS. It also automatically dials the preselected destination number and concurrently transmits an identification of the transmitting fax machine. An automatic call distributor in the ISN responds to the 800 number and transfers the fax transmission to an automated response unit which validates the customer's call. Thereafter, The FSFS is enabled to communicate directly with the sending fax machine to receive and store the transmitted fax.

Abstract: The system and method of analyzing the performance of the network is described herein. The system operates by receiving a first problem alert signal (PAS) from a monitoring point associated with a network facility. The PAS indicates a potential problem with a network facility in a path entity. The system then determines whether the path entity includes distinct line entities. If the path entity includes distinct line entities, then the system determines whether a second problem alert signal has been reported by a monitoring point associated with a network facility in a line entity. The system then initiates a problem handling process for a line entity and suppresses the first PAS if a second PAS has been reported for the line entity. If no problem alert signals have been reported for the line entity, the system initiates a problem handling process for the path entity and reports the first PAS to a higher layer in the network management system.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and tracking information related to telecommunication services. A centralized computer database system comprising a plurality of service engineering templates (`SETs`) is provided. Each SET is created just prior to the deployment of a new service. Information related the deployment, operations, marketing, sales, maintenance and servicing of the new service is entered into the SET. SETs are continuously updated with current information throughout the life cycle of the telecommunications service. Each SET is linked with a central database repository that contains data related to network equipment and other resources that are used and/or available for use with the service associated with the SET. SETs are accessed by a plurality of organizations within a telecommunications company via `views` that are customized according to the needs of the organizations. The most current data pertaining to each product represented by a SET is instantly available to each organization.

Abstract: In a network of a telecommunications service provider, a system processes telephone calls according to foregoing inbound and outbound calls to arbitrary delegates. The system includes a database having a computer-readable file of user journals corresponding to telephone numbers of service subscribers. Each journal has lists of inbound and outbound telephone numbers associated with calls made to/from a particular telephone of the service subscriber. In addition, the user journal includes a list specifying telephone numbers of third-party subscribers who are authorized to perform various call processing operations on the inbound and outbound lists of the subscriber. The call processing operations representatively include browsing through the inbound and outbound lists of the subscriber and auto-dialing any number on the lists. Also provided is a method for processing telephone calls in accordance with the above system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of and apparatus for determining and presenting information about the location of one party relative to the location of another party. The location may be determined from information pertaining to an active session, such as a telephone connection. A centralized address-book contains information about the location of each party listed within the address-book. An arbitrary number of map hierarchies (ranging from 1-N) is defined. Each map hierarchy comprises a plurality of geographical maps each classified as having an equivalent granularity. Each map is associated with one or more entries in the address-book. As each level of map hierarchies increase, the granularity of the maps contained therein, decrease. The location information is presented as a series of maps with a varying level of granularity. The most appropriate map based on the relative locations of the parties is automatically selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting traffic-affecting failures in a telecommunications network; by inferring the most probable location of each such failure, given multiple alarm indicators along a network circuit; correlating circuit alarms to trunk failures, or inferring trunk failures from circuit alarms; inferring the location of major network outages by topologically correlating multiple trunk failures; and filtering alarm reporting to the Fault Management System users such that only the most significant derived or inferred conditions are automatically displayed.

Abstract: A system and a method for a multiple state, multiple case counter circuit are disclosed. The counter circuit has a n position register, n being any integer. Each of the n position counts from 1 to 9. In one embodiment of the present invention, the register takes 9 states (state 1 to state 9). In another embodiment of the present invention, the register has 10 states (state 0 to state 9). Furthermore, the register takes n cases in each state. The counter circuit uses one of the n positions of the register to indicate a state of the register and uses the remaining (n-1) positions to count the NEs. The counter circuit counts 9.times.n.times.(1.sup.n-1 -1) NEs when the register has 9 states. Likewise, the counter circuit counts 10.times.n.times.(10.sup.n-1 -1) NEs when the register has 10 states.