Abstract: A call forwarding service forwards calls placed to a subscriber's number to a forward-to number. Enabling an interface with the call forwarding service includes transmitting display data from a call forwarding service server through a packet switched data network to the subscriber's graphical user interface. At least a portion of the display data is displayed on a first screen of the graphical user interface, which includes a forward-to number field and at least one of multiple activation fields. The activation fields include a first activation indicator corresponding to the call forwarding service, a second activation indicator corresponding to the screening list and a third activation indicator corresponding to the schedule. Selection data is entered by the subscriber in response to the first screen, the selection data indicating one of an ON condition and an OFF condition corresponding to the at least one of the activation fields.

Abstract: A transaction record is received including transaction data corresponding to at least one telephone call placed by a subscriber. The transaction data is processed by a plurality of rate plans, each rate plan generating a toll amount corresponding to the telephone calls of the transaction record. The toll amounts from each of the plurality of rate plans are compared to determine a lowest toll amount. An amount x is deducted from the lowest toll amount to form a final toll amount. A billing record is generated for the subscriber based on the final toll amount.

Abstract: A call transfer service enables a call from a calling party to be transferred from a first agent to a second agent in response to a signal sent by the first agent. The call transfer service is implemented with a service node that offers call transfer service functionality, and a service control point providing menu routing. The service control point routes the call to the service node when it is determined that the call requires call transfer services. The service control point also forwards, via a data link, data associated with the call transfer service to the service node to facilitate transferring of the call.

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.

Abstract: A method for routing calls in a telecommunication system includes detecting data for a call from a calling party to a called party, providing a menu of options to the calling party and routing the call in accordance with information about the calling party, information about the called party or a menu selection.

Abstract: A telecommunications service implements an account code reporting feature by storing an account code associated with a subscriber at a service control point (SCP) in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). When a call is initiated from the subscriber's terminal, the SCP receives outgoing call data, including the subscriber's telephone number, a called party number and an account code entered from the subscriber's terminal. The SCP determines whether the call is subject to the account code reporting service and, if so, stores the call data. The SCP transmits the call data to a service management system accessible by the subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packet switched data network and an interactive voice response through the PSTN. The call is subject to the account code reporting service when the called party number is in the same local access and transport area as the subscriber's telephone number.

Abstract: Communication address identification information is obtained. A communication address number is collected from a customer at a telecommunications apparatus in response to a trigger being initiated at a switch and a connection being established between the switch and the telecommunications apparatus. Communication address identification information is obtained from a memory in response to collecting the communication address number from the customer. The communication address identification information is returned to the customer when communication address identification information corresponding to the communication address number is available at the memory.

Abstract: Internet protocol communications are established between an originating host and a destination host through at least one bridge that interfaces with a switched transport network and an internet protocol network. An initiating message is received from the originating host through the internet protocol network via one of the at least one bridges. The one of the at least one bridges corresponds to a switched transport network address and an internet protocol network address. A setup message is forwarded to the switched transport network address of the one of the at least one bridges to establish internet protocol communications through the switched transport network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing prepaid dialtone services. The system includes a prepaid dialtone service center having an applications server that maintains a prepaid dialtone subscriber database including subscriber identification and service period information. The applications server is configured to automatically remind subscribers to renew their prepaid dialtone account and communicates with a local exchange carrier to place a hold on, or cancel, an expired subscriber account. The method includes the features of determining and monitoring a service period for a prepaid dialtone subscriber, communicating a reminder to the subscriber prior to expiration of the service period, and communicating with a local exchange carrier servicing the subscriber upon expiration of the service period.

Abstract: A method of routing incoming telephone calls and programming routing options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be routed according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a first telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A selection of one of the destination options is received in the first telephone call. A second telephone call is initiated to a telephone number corresponding to the selection. The first telephone call and the second telephone call are connected.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and system for intelligent data management. The system preferably includes a caching service having a listener and plurality of query threads adapted to enable communications with a data type independent cache container. The listener is adapted to acknowledge requests for data access from one or more system processes or services and to connect the requesting services to a respective query thread. Once communicatively connected, the application services may leverage one or more data manipulation functions associated with the cache container to store and/or access data. For optimum efficiency with large amounts of data, the data type independent cache container is preferably constructed using a plurality of data storage vectors organized according to a hash table.

Abstract: A communication system includes a selection module for selecting appropriate user interface types for nodes within a task. The selection module interacts with a selection criteria library and a user interface dialogue model library to determine an appropriate user interface. Selection criteria library and user interface dialogue model library may be selectively and dynamically adapted to reflect environmental, customer and organization changes.

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 call forwarding service forwards calls placed to a subscriber's number to a forward-to number. Enabling an interface with the call forwarding service includes transmitting display data from a call forwarding service server through a packet switched data network to the subscriber's graphical user interface. At least a portion of the display data is displayed on a first screen of the graphical user interface, which includes a forward-to number field and at least one of multiple activation fields. The activation fields include a first activation indicator corresponding to the call forwarding service, a second activation indicator corresponding to the screening list and a third activation indicator corresponding to the schedule. Selection data is entered by the subscriber in response to the first screen, the selection data indicating one of an ON condition and an OFF condition corresponding to the at least one of the activation fields.

Abstract: A variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence is segmented based on a plurality of time intervals. For each of at least two of the time intervals, the method comprises: determining which of the packets, denoted by Pp, in the VBR representation within the presently-considered time interval has a number of blocks of information per unit time greater than a baseline value; determining which of the packets, denoted by Pn, in the VBR representation within the presently-considered time interval has a number of blocks of information per unit time less than the baseline value; and creating a second representation of the image sequence in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from at least one Pp packet and interlaced with blocks of information in at least one Pn packet to produce reformatted packets.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically exchanging information related to telecommunication services includes separating data representing the information to be exchanged into predefined segments corresponding to telecommunication services, associating a segment identification code with each segment, and grouping each segment identification code with corresponding data. The system and method also include concatenating the segment identification codes and associated data according to a predefined sequence to form an electronic transaction and transmitting the electronic message to a telecommunications wholesaler or reseller. Preferably, the information is exchanged over a TCP/IP connection in an interactive, transaction-based exchange.

Abstract: A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client-server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing a legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile system into a unified messaging system. The system includes visual message notification for notifying a user of incoming messages. Visual notification may include a flashing light emitting diode and/or text messages. The text messages may include various characteristics of the waiting messages, such as identification of the sender, subject header, message type, time and date received and a like.

Abstract: The present method and system enable a called party to cancel an unwanted call and send a message to the calling party. The method and system are activated in response to a plurality of inputs provided by the called party. In response to the input provided by the called party, a custom or a standard message can be transmitted to the calling party. A confirmation message can also be transmitted to the called party. The method and system can be implemented in conjunction with other systems that are also activated in response to an input from the called party.