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.

Abstract: A system for providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.

Abstract: A system for providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.

Abstract: An approach is provided for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates using a non-signaling network, such as a global computer network. This can be accomplished without additional specialized telephone equipment or any modifications to switches and databases in either country. Also, the telephone call can be established without any manipulations of signaling information transmitted by a carrier in the high traffic country. Such an approach provides flexible allocation of charges for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates.

Abstract: A telephone call is originated in a reverse direction, i.e., from a called party to a calling party, using a packet switched network. According to one embodiment of the invention, a calling party located in a first country may wish to place a call to a party in a second country having cheaper telephone rates. To benefit from the cheaper telephone rates of the second country, the calling party sends a data message—via a packet switched network—to a service provider in the second country requesting reverse call origination. The request message may be sent to an electronic mailbox maintained by the service provider and located on a global computer network, such as the Internet. The service provider of the second country, upon receiving the message, dials the destination number of the called party supplied in the request message. After reaching the called party, the service provider of the second country dials the calling party and bridges the call between the two parties.

Abstract: A network management system communicates with a plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. The network management system dynamically distributes managed objects across the plurality of intelligent distributed network nodes. Examples of managed objects distributed by the network management system include a service control managed object, a call control managed object, a bearer control managed object, and a resource proxy managed object.

Abstract: An Internet compatible dialer pad is used to dial into an Internet server to provide services similar to those found on the Plain Old Telephone System (“POTS”). The dialer pad has an integrated modem set, an extended keypad with alphanumeric entry keys and function keys, display screen and display electronics that renders visual call progress information to the user as well as other communications indicators and related information about the current Internet connection. The dialer uses the Public Switched Telephone System (“PSTN”) and standard LAN/WAN technology to give the user entry into a plurality of Internet calling functions. An Internet database is maintained and permits the dialing party to obtain callee information by entering alphanumeric characters via the dialer. Links from the PSTN to an Internet data base are not restricted to a specific digital data protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing a request for directory assistance information and for initiating a corresponding call within a telecommunications system. The system and method include and involve a data storage sub-system for storing directory assistance information including a telephone number associated with a particular called party. Also included and involved is a processor that is coupled to the data storage sub-system and which is operative to receive the request for directory assistance information from a calling party via the Internet. The request includes an indicator of the called party. The processor is also operative to determine the telephone number based on the indicator related to the called party, and to receive a request from the calling party to initiate a call from the calling party to the called party within the telecommunications system based on the telephone number.

Abstract: A desktop telephony application program enables a call center agent to handle calls. The application program may be interfaced with an answering service. The answering service acts as an application program interface (API) to a computer/telephony interface server and a call distributor. The application program produces a user interface that enables the agent to indicate when the agent is going on break and the type of break that the agent is taking. Additional functional elements are provided in the user interface to enable the agent to update status information regarding the current state of the agent. The application program may also provide phone books that hold phone numbers grouped by different logical grouping criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network resources that include and involve a plurality of communications modules configured to communicate with a corresponding plurality of network resources. Each network resources is configured to generate operational data related to processing therein and to transmit that operational data based on a particular protocol. The systems and methods also include and involve an extraction module configured to communicate with the communications modules based on each particular protocol used thereby to receive the operational data from the plurality of network resources to extract management data from the operational data, and to transmit the management data. An interface module is also included and involved which is configured to receive the management data from the extraction module, to generate standardized data based on the management data and based on a standard protocol, and to transmit the standardized data to an external system for processing (e.g.

Abstract: A desktop telephony application program enables a call center agent to handle calls. The application program may be interfaced with an answering service. The answering service acts as an application program interface (API) to a computer/telephony interface server and a call distributor. The application program produces a user interface that enables the agent to indicate when the agent is going on break and the type of break that the agent is taking. Additional functional elements are provided in the user interface to enable the agent to update status information regarding the current state of the agent. The application program may also provide phone books that hold phone numbers grouped by different logical grouping criteria.

Abstract: Non-toll calls originating from payphones may be blocked. An intelligent node is provided within the telecommunications network to identify whether a non-toll call originated from a payphone. The intelligent node may apply a number of different criteria to determine whether to block a non-toll call that is determined to have originated from a payphone. The intelligent node may be customized to apply criteria based upon customer request. The customer may also identify additional processing that is to be performed when a call is to be blocked.

Abstract: A network management system allows a customer to manage communications services using a web server that communicates with a client web browser. The client is able to view information associated with various communications systems and services via the client web browser. The client is also able to submit requests for changes in service to the web server.

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. A directory service that supports a hybrid communication system architecture is provided for routing traffic over the hybrid network and the internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing delivery of data, also referred to as “content”, by a data processing system in a communications system in which a number of content providers and content consumers are located within the communications system. The data processing system receives a request to accept delivery of content at the data processing system, wherein the request originates from a requesting content provider. A determination is made as to when the content may be received from the requesting content provider and when the content may be transmitted to content consumers based on contents already scheduled to be delivered from the number of content providers. Delivery of the content from the requesting content provider is accepted based on a determination of when the content may be received and when the content may be transmitted.

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 callback system is created utilizing a hybrid telecommunication system including a switched communication network and a packet transmission network. A call parameter database is stored in a memory. A call is received on the system. The call parameter database is accessed to determine at least one call parameter. The call is routed over the switched communication network and the packet transmission network based on the at least one call parameter. A plurality of service engines is provided, each configured to execute desired service logic utilizing expert system.

Abstract: A pool of echo cancellers provides echo cancellation on PCM digital transmissions on an as needed basis. A dynamic port device operating under the direction of call processing identifies the transmissions requiring echo cancellation and routes the identified transmissions through echo cancellers. The echo cancellation can be performed on an as needed basis without having to dedicate an echo canceller to each DS0 channel. The dynamic port device can provide multiplexing up to SONET carrier levels immediately following selective echo cancellation.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.