Abstract: A system that processes telecommunications calls from a switch to provide call services. The system supports transactional and conversational protocols. For conversational protocols, call context is maintained at a service control point during call processing. Transactional and conversational messages are mapped to and from a generic message structure to simplify the input and output interfaces of supported service applications. Service control points comprise Communications Servers and Transaction Servers. Communications Servers are coupled by a WAN to provide distributed processing and enhance reliability and load balancing. A method processes conversational protocol messages while maintaining call context at a Communications Server. A method supports multiple-service calls by redirecting processing from one Service Application executing on an original service control point to another Service Application without communicating with the originating switch between services.

Abstract: Delays are calculated for one or more virtual connections within a frame relay network. The delays may be calculated at periodic intervals for each virtual connection within the frame relay network so as to provide updated information about delays among the virtual connections. Each delay is calculated by sending a special delay measurement frame from an originating switch to a destination switch. The destination switch receives the frame and returns the frame to the originating switch. The time difference between when the frame was sent from the originating switch to when the frame is received back at the originating switch is calculated and designated as the delay value. A timestamp may be affixed to the frame to specify the time at which the frame is initially sent from the originating switch.

Abstract: A parking manager manages calls to be parked and parking resources on one or more parking platforms, and can be used in a system that combines the functionalities of call parking and intelligent call routing. The parking manager provides management of parking resources and complete control of the call throughout the entire duration of the call. The parking manager makes a common pool of parking resources available to all customers, and thus increases the availability of parking resources at call center ACDs and other customer premise equipment.

Abstract: A copy utility for non-stop database applications allows users to continuously access a database which is undergoing back-up operations. The system includes a lock manager which controls the access of requesters to the files of the database. The back-up storage device is treated in the same manner as other requesters.

Abstract: A method for selecting one link out of M outbound links in a linkset (10) coupling a first component and a second component is provided. The first component includes N devices coupled to the M links. The method includes the steps of first providing an X-bit code having 2.sup.x possible code combinations used for link selection, and assigning a predetermined number of code combinations for each device where the assigned code combinations for a device is a function of an unique device number associated with each device. The outbound link is then selected for transmitting outbound data based on the code combination assignment.

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 improving database system reliability and availability and ensuring database consistency in multiple network database system sites, for example, home location register (HLR) sites of a wireless telecommunications network. There are a plurality of database system sites, each of which contains at least one complete copy of the entire database. The database is partitioned into multiple partitions, with each partition serviced by multiple database system sites with differing priority. The highest priority database system site which is available for each partition provides access and update service to the partition. In addition, the serving database system site sends update messages to the other database system sites, so that all copies of the partition are consistent. Update messages are sent on a deferred basis, so as to even out message traffic on the network.

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 number of work stations are configured as clients in a client-server environment. The clients enter requests that must be validated and approved prior to loading into mainframe databases. This occurs by staging. The server connected to the various workstation clients is a mid-range server that cooperates with a mid-range database. The mid-range database allows the mid-range server to check incoming requests against other requests being processed by the system. If the request does not repeat or conflict with a request undergoing processing by the system, as noted by the mid-range database, the request is transferred to a staging database, connected to a universal server. The universal server accesses the mainframe databases to perform more precise checks of the request. If validated, the request is entered into a mainframe database and the mid-range database is updated accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance, in a multichannel optical transmission system, of an optical signal regenerator, by compensating for input signal power fluctuation and for output signal gain change, and by mildly filtering individual wavelengths between gain block stages. A system and method to provide amplification and refinement of a bidirectional optical signal in a single amplification and refinement stage.

Abstract: The system and method for tracing a path of a call through a telecommunications network includes at least two switches, a database, a user interface device and a control processor. Each switch has an associated adjunct processor that has a memory that stores call record data. The database stores call routing data for calls traversing each switch. The user interface device accepts selected call parameter data related to a call having a path through the telecommunications network that is to be traced. The control processor accesses the call routing data and the call record data for searching for a call having call parameter data corresponding to the selected call parameter data. The control processor provides report data that is related to the path through the telecommunications network of a call having call parameter data corresponding to the selected call parameter data.

Abstract: A telecommunications system comprises two groups of intelligent platforms in a common carrier's network. Each intelligent platform includes an application or a service for processing a call related transaction. The intelligent platforms in each group are arranged in the Local Area Network configuration, such as a Fiber Distributed Data Interface, to transfer the call related transaction to each other for further processing. Each group of the intelligent platforms comprises a node on the Wide Area Network, such as an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), which provides the high speed support for transferring the call related transaction among the intelligent platforms of each group. The combination of these two transport mechanisms will provide a high speed interface and sufficient bandwidth for the projected increase in traffic volume.

Abstract: A system and method to modify in real time the location of carriers in an optical fiber to avoid harmonic interference. Fiber means supply a spectrum of carrier wavelengths. Controller means sweep the entire spectrum of the carrier wavelengths for wanted and unwanted carrier wavelengths. Analyzer means plot wanted carrier signals versus unwanted signals in the spectrum. Control circuit means track the unwanted carrier signals; calculate the amount of spectrum that any or all of the carrier signals must move to avoid unwanted harmonics, and generate a control signal to change carrier frequencies of wanted carriers to avoid harmonics of unwanted carrier signals in the optical fiber.

Abstract: Special service call processing, such as 800 processing, is improved in accordance with the present invention. A data base includes a customer subscription record segment which stores call processing data keyed at least in part on a dialed 800 number. The subscription record for a customer is hierarchical in that it includes a head entry (for customers using basic or immediate service). The head entry for customers using advanced service, when accessed, produces Originating Area ID identification (OAID). Subsequent accesses to the data base use the OAID in order to access additional records for chronological time processing. Those additional records may include time band or day band arrays. Accessing a day band array will produce a Day Band ID identification (DBID). The DBID can be used on a subsequent access to identify a time band array. In some embodiments, the head entry may include a plan identification.