Abstract: The present invention provides an option to record messages that can be geared to specific audiences, using PIN-restricted access as needed. The present invention provides a method and apparatus way for subscribers to record a number (more than one) of personalized messages or greetings geared towards specific callers or audiences in a plurality of bulletin boards associated with a single telephone number. The personalized greetings comprise public messages, private messages, public comments and private comments. The method and apparatus of the present invention also ensures customer privacy and increases the level of security by providing an option to PIN-protect the content and access to the content for each of the public and private recorded messages and comments.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method display incoming and outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls to and from a plurality of subscriber telephone numbers from one or more telephone networks. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to a call log gateway that translates the message into an asynchronous message containing call log data. The call log gateway forwards the asynchronous message to a unified communication platform where it is placed in subscriber mailbox and made available as a call log to a subscriber via a graphic user interface over the internet. A web server retrieves the call log and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to activate or deactivate a web interface to a voicemail system through a telephone user interface to the voicemail system. During a setup procedure that runs on the first use of the telephone user interface, the method and apparatus asks the subscriber if the subscriber wants the web interface activated. The method and apparatus then activates the web interface and allows the subscriber to specify a sequence of both digits and letters as the subscriber's initial web password and username. The present invention also provides the capability to activate or deactivate the web interface via the telephone user interface at any time after the initialization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a shared line Find-Me-Follow-Me (FMFM) voicemail application. Each person sharing a telephone number is provided a sub mailbox with FMFM contact numbers individually configured for each user sub mailbox. The invention further provides a method and apparatus for dynamic out dial determination that removes numbers from the FMFM contact number list that match numbers in the inbound call path to avoid looping. The present invention further provides a method and apparatus for FMFM call path duplication of the inbound call path onto the out dial call information to provide caller identification for the original calling party after the call is forwarded or processed using FMFM.

Abstract: A universal mobile phone adapter device for a vehicle appliance operable for enabling a user to talk hands-free on a mobile phone during a phone call between the mobile phone and a telephone of another party when the mobile phone is electronically connected to the vehicle appliance. The adapter device includes a universal vehicle adapter base integrated in the interior of the vehicle. The adapter base is electronically connected to the vehicle appliance. The adapter device includes first and second adapter sleeves which are removably receivable one at a time within the adapter base. The adapter sleeves include respective first and second mobile phone receiving areas for removably receiving first and second mobile phones having different configurations. The adapter sleeves and the adapter base electronically connect the mobile phones to the vehicle appliance when the adapter sleeves receive the respective mobile phones and the adapter base receives the adapter sleeves.

Abstract: A system (20) for providing a caller identification with name service includes a destination service switching point (22) having a plurality of destination numbers (24). A switching control point (26) has a caller identification with name database (30) and a customer caller identification with name database (32). A signaling system seven link (28) connects the destination service switching point (22) to the switching control point (26).

Abstract: A method for analyzing and adjusting the performance of a speech-enabled application includes selecting a number of user utterances that were previously received by the speech-enabled application. The speech-enabled application receives such user utterances and associates each user utterance with an action-object based on one or more salient terms in the user utterance that are associated with the action-object. The method further includes associating one of a number of action-objects with each of the selected user utterances. Furthermore, for each action-object, the percentage of the utterances associated with the action-object that include at least one of the salient terms associated with the action-object is determined. If the percentage does not exceed a selected threshold, the method also includes adjusting the one or more salient terms associated with the action-object.

Abstract: A fiber distribution frame includes an enclosure having an exposed face. A door is connected to the enclosure for opening and closing with respect to the exposed face. A post is connected to the enclosure, a strap is connected at a first end to the post, and a latch is connected to the door. The latch has a receptacle for receiving a fastener, and a a conduit for receiving the strap. The receptacle and the conduit adjoin one another such that, when the door is closed and a second end of the strap is inserted through the conduit, a fastener fastened into the receptacle holds the strap in the conduit in order to connect the latch to the post and thereby lock the door closed. A diffuser component is attachable to the door for absorbing radiation from fiber optic components disposed within the enclosure when the door is closed.

Abstract: A telephone call is billed that originates in a primary carrier telecommunications network and terminates in a secondary telecommunications carrier network. The call is billed by generating multiple billing records in response to the telephone call, at least one billing record comprising a toll free number administered by the secondary carrier. It is determined whether the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier; and the billing record including the toll free number administered by the secondary carrier is discarded when it is determined that the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier. Thus, the primary carrier only bills for a portion of the call that was connected from the caller to the termination point of the primary carrier network.

Abstract: A method of providing collect call service includes receiving a request for a collect call from a calling party (18). A selected number to call is received. A call is placed to a receiving party (20). Agreeability of the receiving party (20) to accept the credit card billing for the collect call is determined. The calling party (18) is connected to the receiving party (20) in response to the acceptance.

Abstract: A custom announcement is efficiently deployed to a local exchange switching platform, such as a switch from the Nortel DMS family. Initially, an announcement provider creates a binary file representing the requested announcement and stores the file on a server accessible to a telecommunications carrier. A representative of the telecommunications carrier then downloads the file from the server. Subsequently, a specific record length is set to override a default record length in a program that communicates with the local exchange switching platform. The program then electronically transfers the binary announcement file to the local exchange switching platform using the specific record length.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: A presence of a facsimile transmission tone generated by a calling party within a call is sensed for within a public telephone network before the call has been routed to a called party. If the facsimile transmission tone is present in the call, the telephone network denies completion of the call to the telephone line of the called party. If the call is absent the facsimile transmission tone, a telephone network switch is instructed to complete the call to the telephone line of the called party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for qualifying a telephone transmission line for XDSL communication services is disclosed. The system includes a modem, located at the customer premises to be connected. The modem analyzes actual signals to determine the electrical characteristics of the communication channel associated with the customer premises. The modem includes a transmitter, receiver and controller to generate test signals and receive responses. The modem then analyzes the data to generate an output value indicative of the electrical characteristics of the communication channel being tested. This output value is then displayed to a user or transmitted over the communication channel to a network. The system thereby eliminates the necessity of dispatching a technician to test the telephone line, and provides more accurate test results than those achievable at the network-side of the connection alone.

Abstract: A centralized biometric system is provided for verifying an individual's identity over a communications network. The system includes a storage that stores biometric information in association with information that identifies an individual. The system also includes a receiver that receives, from one of a communications device and a network communications platform, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service from the one of the communications device and the network communications platform. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The system also includes a processor that compares the biometric sample to the biometric information to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual.

Abstract: A system is provided for verifying an identity of a calling party. The system includes a storage that stores voice sample information in association with information that identifies an individual. The system also includes a receiver that receives, from a communications platform called by the calling party, a request to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual, using a digital audio sample packetized according to voice over internet protocol and obtained from the calling party during the call. Additionally, the system includes a processor that compares the digital audio sample to the voice sample information to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: A fiber distribution frame includes a housing and a door which opens and closes with respect to an exposed face of the housing to provide and restrict access to optic components within the housing. The frame further includes a door locking device having a door latch mounted to the door, a strapping post mounted to a side surface of the housing, and a cable connected at a first end to the strapping post. The door latch has a fastener receptacle and a cable conduit which adjoin one another such that a fastener received by the receptacle holds the cable in the conduit when the conduit receives a second end of the cable and the door is closed thereby locking the door to the housing. A diffuser component is attached to the inner surface of the door to absorb optical radiation from the optic components when the door is closed.

Abstract: A method and system for forecasting telephony traffic trends on a network of a given service provider includes storing number portability records in a database. Each record contains information regarding a corresponding telephone number having been ported between service providers. First and second images of the database are obtained at first and second times. The first and second images are indicative of the records stored in the database at the first and second times. The images are compared to determine migration of the ported telephone numbers between the service providers. Movement of telephone traffic on the network of the given service provider is forecasted as a function of the determined migration of the ported telephone numbers between the service providers.

Abstract: A fiber distribution frame arrangement includes a fiber distribution frame. Fiber optic component panels are housed within the fiber distribution frame at respective positions. Doors are connected to the fiber distribution frame for the doors to open and close relative to the fiber distribution frame. Each door corresponds to one of the fiber optic component panels such that the door opens and closes relative to the corresponding fiber optic component panel when the door opens and closes relative to the fiber distribution frame. Actuators corresponding to the doors are positioned on the corresponding doors in order to lock the corresponding door to the fiber distribution frame upon actuation when the corresponding door is closed. A cable extends between each actuator for connecting the actuators together. A controller communicates with the actuators via the cable in order to control actuation of the actuators and monitor actuation status of the actuators.