Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods associated with data communications. In a particular embodiment, a method of encapsulating data packets for use in a distributed computer network is disclosed. The method includes providing a data packet for transmission over the distributed computer network, the data packet selected from one of a customer data packet and an OAM data packet; and encapsulating the data packet with a medium access control outer packet.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a communication node coupled to a first data network and a second data network is disclosed. The first data network is a wide area data network. The communication node includes a first data interface to the first data network, a second data interface to the second data network, a data processor responsive to the first data interface and to the second data interface, and an encryption module coupled to the data processor. The first data interface is a telephony type interface and the second data interface is a packet data interface. The data processor receives input traffic data carried over the first data interface and generates management performance data based on measurements with respect to the input traffic data. The encryption module receives the management performance data to produce encrypted management performance data to be communicated to the second data network via the second data interface.

Abstract: A software application is dynamically partitioned into components. Selected components are delivered to a requesting client device. When a request is received from the client device to launch the software application that includes multiple software components, a profile of the client device is determined. The software application is dynamically partitioned into a first group of components and a second group of components based on the profile of the client device. Selected application components are delivered to the client device based on the profile of the client device. The first group is delivered to the client device based on the profile of the client device. The second group is retained based on the profile of the client device. The application is executed using the delivered first group and the retained second group of application components.

Abstract: A feature for a mobile station, wireless network, and method of operating a wireless network for locating a misplaced mobile station and preventing its unauthorized use. The wireless network including a base station. The network and base station transmit a misplaced mobile station signal to a mobile station, causing a misplaced mobile station to ring at high volume, display a text message, emit an audio message, and deactivate normal mobile station functions.

Abstract: A centralized recorded announcement unit shared by multiple end offices on a public switched telephone network stores announcements in digital files. When a call is received at a switch and an announcement is required, the announcement is played to the caller by an announcement device if the particular announcement file is stored locally. If the announcement is not stored locally, a request is sent to the centralized recorded announcement unit to retrieve the announcement file and play the announcement to the caller. Both the request and the announcement file are sent via a packed-switched network.

Abstract: However, the current call detail record system has certain drawbacks. For example, specific billing information is ordinarily tracked and available for calls made from one local access and transport area (LATA) to another (i.e., interLATA or long distance calls). Billing and usage information for calls within the same LATA (i.e., intraLATA or local calls), including local toll calls, are not maintained by the network or otherwise accessible to the network provider and customers. Therefore, the customers are not able to track intraLATA calls in the same manner as interLATA calls. For example, customers may desire identifying codes to be entered next to each charged call in order to facilitate subsequent billing of the customers' respective clients.

Abstract: A system and method for imputing data into a database includes an imputing system operable to impute data based on outside plant construction principles. The imputing system includes an inventory database, a data engine, a search engine, and a loop engine. The inventory database includes a plurality of distribution records each associated with one or more cable pairs. The data engine determines if a desired distribution record corresponding to a desired cable pair includes missing data. The search engine searches a known class of serving terminals for complete distribution records and iteratively searches a sized binder group within the inventory database for one or more complete distribution records where the size of the binder group searched increases with each iterative search. The loop engine determines an imputed value for the desired distribution record based on the searching and imputes the value into the desired distribution record.

Abstract: A system and method for providing customer activities while in queue allows for one or more customers to interact with one or more customer activities while waiting to speak with a live agent. The customers engage the customer activities while holding in a queue where the customer activities reduce the boredom, frustration, and perceived hold duration associated with holding to speak to a live agent. The customers are offered one or more options of the customer activities to interact with and the system and method monitors the customers' selections and interaction with the customer activities. As agents become available, each customer is transferred to an agent along with information regarding the customer's interaction with a selected customer activity. Upon completion of the interaction between the agent and the customer, the customer has the option to return to the selected customer activity and continue interacting with the selected customer activity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telecommunications service to users in a service area using a wireless link. An office-side connection system is provided for connecting a local distribution system to the central office switch. The local distribution system includes a cross-connect system and a radio for linking to a second local distribution system. The second distribution system includes subscriber connections for connecting to the user telecommunications devices. The radio may be enclosed in a hut or cabinet with the cross-connect system. The radio may also be enclosed in a hut while the cross-connect system is enclosed in a cabinet. The radio may be temporary to provide a temporary radio link until a permanent optical or copper cable can replace the radio.

Abstract: A system and method for providing call information query stores modified call information associated with a telephone number within the local databases of a service provider's local network. The modified call information enables a service provider to unilaterally alter how calls are routed and rated. The service switching points (SSPs) located within a same local network are equipped with modified intelligent network or advanced intelligent network software that enables the local SSPs to receive remote call information resulting from a remote query performed by a remote SSP. The local SSPs analyze the remote call information and generate queries to their local databases to obtain modified call information. New services requiring modified call information can then be implemented based upon the modified call information received as a result of the queries.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line access network comprises a remote Ethernet device disposed in a serving area interface. The remote Ethernet device serves as an Ethernet bridge for a neighborhood service area. The remote Ethernet device communicates with a plurality of customer premises modems in the neighborhood service area using an Internet Protocol over an Ethernet standard with a digital subscriber line physical layer. An Ethernet switch disposed at a central office communicates with the remote Ethernet device via a fiber optic medium using an Internet Protocol over a second Ethernet standard. The Ethernet switch provides a packet data core network termination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing prepaid local telephone services is provided. The method includes determining if a subscriber is making a qualified local telephone call, checking to see if a maximum number of calls have been made by the subscriber and decrementing a call counter if a telephone call in connected. The system includes a switch for receiving telephone calls and identifying subscribers and qualified telephone calls. In addition, the system includes a telephone network element in communication with the switch, the telephone network element having logic for identifying local telephone calls, a notification timer configured to remove the telephone network element from a telephone call after a predetermined period of time, and a call counter for monitoring a number of local calls permitted to a subscriber.

Abstract: An SVC is established via an ATM switch port, which includes multiple virtual paths (VPs), by associating multiple virtual user-to-network interfaces (UNIs) to each of the VPs. Each of the VPs includes multiple virtual circuit (VC) ranges, each of which corresponds to a different virtual UNI. Each VC range includes at least one VC for control and at least one VC for data transfer. Associating the virtual UNIs to each of the VPs includes mapping each virtual UNI to a corresponding VC range within a VP based on a virtual path index (VPI)/virtual channel index (VCI) of the virtual UNI initially received by the ATM switch port.

Abstract: A method and system for processing messages in a unified messaging system. In particular, the system enables legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile systems to be integrated with a unified messaging system. The system includes a filter or mechanism which enables the user to filter certain message attributes such as the identification of the sender, recipient or the subject header or the message type to enable messages to be processed in accordance with the recipients wishes.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet to receive customized call alerts and caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. Using client software, the subscriber associates telephone numbers to sound files. Then, when an incoming call with caller identification information is received, the client software determines whether the incoming telephone number points to a sound file. If so, the client software directs the sound file to play.

Abstract: A method and system for an automated departure strategy from an automated system includes a track engine and an error engine. The track engine allows for the tracking and storing of one or more utterances spoken by a caller in response to one or more prompts. In addition, the track engine classifies each of the utterances with a confidence level. The error engine determines when one of the utterances initiates an error condition and transfers the caller to an operator on the occurrence of the error condition. In addition to transferring the caller to the operator, the error engine plays to the operator an error utterance, causing the error condition, and a preceding utterance, preceding the error utterance. Furthermore, the error engine populates an operator screen with information provided by the caller in the utterances for utterances classified with a high level of confidence.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a design for a call center system. A particular system is put into use and data collected to quantify various quality of service factors. Each quality of service factor is multiplied times an expense multiplier and added to an agent cost factor. The result is a metric that describes the system in monetary terms.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method of providing a session for ordering a telecommunication service includes receiving a telecommunication call for ordering the telecommunication service, communicating a prerecorded terms and conditions message for the telecommunication service to an individual ordering the telecommunication service, and receiving a reply message to the terms and conditions message from the individual. The prerecorded terms and conditions message is communicated to the individual and the reply message is received during the telecommunication call. A system for providing the session is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying call waiting information in a communication system is particularly well suited for correcting mispronunciation of caller identification information provided for a call waiting call. A current pronunciation of the call waiting information is provided to the calling party who is prompted to change the current pronunciation. The system receives a new pronunciation of the call waiting information and stores information about the new pronunciation for subsequent retrieval.