Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a terminal for access to a network that includes a central office having a memory for storing an equipment identity record and a local office having a memory for storing a subscriber record and an access count. The equipment identity record and the subscriber record each store an access authorization status of the terminal. Network access for the terminal is requested at the local office and a value of the access count at the local office is incremented when the value of the access count is less than a predetermined number. The access status of the terminal stored in the equipment identity record at the central office is requested by the local office when the terminal requests access for the first time or the value of the access count equals the predetermined number. The access authorization status of the terminal stored in the equipment identity record is sent to the local office in response to the request.

Abstract: A first PCS unit monitors carrier activity of other PCS units in an unlicensed frequency band adjacent to a licensed frequency band used by the first PCS unit, which has a microprocessor that compiles a history table of this other carrier activity. The first PCS unit then uses the history table to transmit on the licensed frequency band an interference signal synchronized with the predicted occurrence of the other carrier activity such that the permitted sideband signals of the interference signal in the adjacent unlicensed band causes the other PCS units to stop broadcasting on the adjacent unlicensed band. The first PCS unit then begins broadcasting on both the adjacent unlicensed band and the licensed band, a message being embedded in these broadcasts to advise intended receiving PCS units that both bands are now available for communication sessions with the first PCS unit.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, to provide both statistical reporting functions and reporting on a call by call detail basis, a "TRAFFICVIEW" Server (TVS) system is incorporated with a MCI Traffic Statistics (MTS) system. The TVS is responsive to instructions provided by subscribers so that reports may be provided on a given time period, at a given frequency and in a particular format, as instructed by the subscribers. Standard reports are delivered via E-Mail, fax or hard copy. A subscriber may obtain a static view of the traffic for a special service call number by communicating with the TVS. Moreover, a remote subscriber may download from the TVS a data file which contains raw call details and statistics that he can import to his own reports. Alternatively, a remote subscriber may link up with a real time statistics (RTS) system so that he can monitor the operation of the network, as it relates to calls directed to the subscriber's special service call numbers, in real time.

Abstract: A system and method for renaming a title of a window that has been created and is currently displayed on a computer screen. When a user wants to rename a window's title, the user first brings the window into focus; that is, he makes the desired window the active window. The user then presses a hot-key, or key combination. Upon receiving the hot-key, the present invention displays a pop-up window prompting the user for a new window title. After entering the text for the new window title, the present invention changes the title of the active window to the new title that the user entered. In addition, the present invention ensures that the new title is reflected in a task list of executing applications.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient routing of communication paths in a telecommunications system. The system comprises a telecommunications network having a pivot node, a destination node, and a release node connected to the pivot node and having a possible connection to the destination node. The method includes attempting to establish a direct connection between the destination node and the pivot node. An attempt is initially made to establish a direct connection between the destination node and the pivot node. If the destination node and the pivot node can be connected directly, then the connection between the pivot node and the release node is released. If the attempt to directly connect the destination node and the pivot node fails, a direct connection is established between the destination node and the release node. The failure to connect the destination node and the pivot node can be indicated by two methods. In the pivot method, the pivot node sends a failure indication to the release node.

Abstract: A fraud detection system is disclosed for telephone PBX calls. The system includes a fraud data server for buffering the call detail records relating to inbound 800 number calls and outbound international calls. A threshold manager is connected at its input to an output of the fraud data server for detecting numerical counts exceeding preselected threshold values, in predetermined fields of the call detail records, and generates an alarm. The output of the threshold manager is connected to an input of the fraud data server for buffering the alarm incident to respective call detail records. A computer workstation is connected to the fraud data server for receiving packets of call detail records relating to alarm data, in a filtered preselected format. The workstation includes a monitor for displaying the alarm data on a graphical interface.

Abstract: A system and method for providing different levels of mobile communication service for a mobile station within a communication system service area. A plurality of base transceiver stations (BTSs) are coupled to a common database. Each BTS has a cellular service area for communicating with the mobile station, a unique identification, and is located with respect to other base transceiver stations for defining a plurality of overlapping cellular service areas which collectively define the service area of the communication system. The common database has a memory for storing data related to a home geographical location associated with the mobile station, and the identity of the BTSs having service areas overlapping the home geographical location. The geometric shapes of the service areas overlapping the home geographical location of the mobile station define a home calling area.

Abstract: A method and related system dynamically determines the location of a network outage in a telecommunications network. A plurality of alarm generating network equipments are located at spaced sites along the network. Alarms are generated upon the detection of problems with a signal passing through continuous signal trunks connected between the alarm generating network equipments. The alarm data from the alarm generating network equipments is connected at a single point. Network topology data is stored in a database, defining the relative locations of the alarm generating network equipments in the network and their respectively connected trunks. The alarmed equipment ports are correlated with respective connected alarmed trunks from data obtained in the database as well as collected alarm data. The alarmed trunks are analyzed for identifying the corresponding minimum number of alarm generating network equipments that exist between the alarmed trunks thereby defining effected inter-equipment trunks.

Abstract: A protective cover for use on a device having a switch. The protective cover prevents inadvertent or accidental operation of the switch, while allowing deliberate or intentional operation of the switch with the protective cover in place. The protective cover includes a plate and a pair of access apertures defined by the plate. One of the pair of access apertures is positioned to enable operation of the switch from a first position to a second position, and the other of the pair of access apertures is positioned to enable operation of the switch from the second position to the first position. The area of each access aperture is of suitable size to prevent inadvertent operation of the switch. The plate is attached to the device using attaching means that allows the plate to be attached to the device in only one orientation.

Abstract: A computer system has a plurality of non-compatible clients and servers selectively interconnected over a network, each client capable of initiating an application in which a related compatible server is involved. Communication between the clients and servers involve a first registry process including the acceptance of application specific messages from a client, destined for a preselected server, and encapsulating them into standard registry specific messages. The routing of the messages is determined by a database that responds to a verb command, from a particular client, to provide routing data. Next, there is translation of the registry specific messages into a preselected protocol. A second registry process occurs at a distant end to restore the message, after passing through the network. The second registry accepts the translated messages and converts them from protocol format to the original application specific format for use by the preselected compatible server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described that is used to design a minimal spares network for a given communications network. Three data files are used as input which describe the communications network. The information comprising such data files include the number and configuration of the nodes and spans, the current demand in terms of the required capacity between the source and destination nodes, current spare capacity (if any), and optionally current paths used to carry the demand traffic (including the presence or absence of glass-throughs). A three pass method is used to design an efficient and economical spares network from the given input data. A simulated cut is performed on each span in the communications network. From each simulated span cut, the affected demand traffic is identified and rerouted via spare capacity that is `purchased` on an incremental cost basis. Pre-purchased spares are used before new spares are purchased.

Abstract: A system and method automatically, in real-time, create and maintain records of customer use of a telecommunication network for diverse types of service and costs. Each customer use of the network is collected and tagged in a record as an event for each switching device in the network. Real-time event correlation based upon all tags is performed and combined into a standard record for each event. Additional information, e.g. pricing, tax, service is incorporated into the standard record as a basis for billing the customer for use of the diverse types of services and costs on the network.

Abstract: Call records are generated from various network elements processing a call. A consolidation feed acts as a concentrator for the various records. However, since the concentrator receives the call records at different times, the invention provides a concentrator with a count of the various types of network elements which have processed the call. This allows the concentrator to match and merge the records once all the records, indicated by the final count, have been received. In order to update the count as a call progresses from network element to network element, the originating network element creates a buffer which is carried through the network, from element to element. As each element is affected, it adds a count to the buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring user privacy in a messaging system where a message is sent from a sender to a recipient via a service provider. Information pertaining to the identification of a sender and recipient of a message is encrypted so that a third party cannot determine who is sending the message to whom. Specifically, delivery information of the message is reformatted to indicate that the service provider is the recipient. The identification of the actual recipient is encrypted and sent along with the message to the service provider. Upon receipt, the service provider decrypts the actual recipient information to determine the identification of the actual recipient. The service provider reformats the delivery information to indicate that the actual recipient is the recipient of the message and that the service provider is the sender of the message. The identification of the actual sender is encrypted and sent along with the message to the actual recipient.

Abstract: The Flexible Enhanced Signaling Subsystem (FESS) performs table-driven processing of incoming and outgoing messages and also handles multiple message types and trunk groups. A message received by the FESS is first processed by an incoming signaling module which performs all necessary transformations to the message to enable the existing switch processing to handle any incoming message. The incoming signaling module, being table-driven, can be easily modified to handle any new message types which may be created. The message is then processed by an intermediate signaling module which includes the existing call processing, The intermediate signaling module may pass through messages, or it may generate new messages. In either case, an outgoing signaling module performs all necessary transformations to messages output from the intermediate signaling module to enable the outgoing trunk, downline switch or downline network to handle the message properly.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring communications between a pair of nodes, between which communications have been broken, in a network.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and evaluating video fidelity. A test video signal is transmitted over a baseline system under test (SUT). A reference video signal is delayed by an amount equal to a latency of the baseline SUT. The test video signal and the reference video signal were previously generated from a common source. The transmitted test video signal is synchronized with the delayed reference video signal, and the synchronized test video signal and the synchronized reference video signal are digitized. The digitized test video signal is inverted, and the digitized reference video signal and the inverted test video signal are summed to thereby generate a video fidelity value of the baseline SUT. A subjective determination is then made as to whether the transmitted test video signal is adequate. If the transmitted test video signal is adequate, then the video fidelity value of the baseline SUT as established as the baseline video fidelity value.

Abstract: A dynamic project management system includes a server network and a master database. The network is configured to identify a personnel resource pool including a plurality of users. A project planning tool is used to effect the project plan including a plurality of tasks to be performed by the users in accordance with respective time schedules. The network is configured for translating the project plan into the master database to effect an assignments table including a list of project tasks assigned for completion by each of the users. Time sheets are periodically prepared in the master database from the assignments table and include a list of the project tasks assigned to a respective user and a time period record for recording time entries therein. Actual time expended in performing the tasks is fed back to the project plan for managing completion of the tasks in accordance with the time schedules.

Abstract: The processing of telephone calls is described herein. A telephone call is initiated over a public telephone line using a carrier direct telephone number having a carrier specific identifier. The carrier specific identifier designates the international carrier that has assigned the carrier direct number (Carrier Direct Service Provider). The telephone call is routed to an international carrier in the country of origin. That international carrier recognizes the carrier specific identifier and routes the call to the Carrier Direct Service Provider. The Carrier Direct Service Provider translates the carrier direct telephone number to a public telephone number. The call is then routed over public telephone lines in accordance with the public telephone number.

Abstract: System and method for managing telecommunications networks. The state of network elements is managed by associating and correlating network events across many different network domains. Network elements include tangible elements, such as hardware and equipment, and non-tangible elements, such as customers, countries, and services. By incorporating an inferencing engine or expert system, sources of network problems are inferred, impacts of network events are assessed, and corrective actions are recommended.