Abstract: A system and method establish an Internet protocol (IP) connection between an originating end-system and a limited access destination end-system through a switched transport network. An originating interworking function (IWF) device inserts its switched transport network address into a data field of an RSVP path message, which is forwarded through routers in an IP network by default routing, without modifying the data field. A destination IWF device retrieves the switched transport network address from the path message, which is forwarded to the destination end-system. The destination IWF device receives a new IP address assigned to the originating end-system by the destination end-system. The destination IWF device forwards a setup message to the originating IWF device, through switches in the switched transport network, based on the switched transport network address from the path message and the newly assigned IP address. The IP connection is established in response to the setup message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the CPE of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

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: Real time detection of the fraudulent use of a telecommunications network is accomplished by analyzing data for each call that is occurring within the network. A signal protocol receiver is used to collect signaling protocol for each call that is occurring within the network. The Signaling protocol data is collected, decoded and formatted into call information records (CIRs). The CIRs contain various operator specified parameters for each call that is occurring within the network. The CIRs are compared to operator defined thresholds. If any of the CIRs exceeds the thresholds, an alert is generated. The alerts are stored in a database where the operator can analyze them and take the appropriate corresponding action to resolve the alert. The alerts and the CIRs are archived in a database so that trends of fraudulent use can be detected and prevented. This method of fraud detection provides for the effective analyzation of every call that is occurring within the network.

Abstract: A remote customer profile adaptive operating system (10) for use in a digital subscriber line telecommunication network (12) is provided. The system (10) includes a customer site (16) in communication with a remote terminal (20). The customer site (16) has a customer profile. The remote terminal (20) includes a main controller (32) that has a customer profile monitor (50) that monitors at least one customer performance parameter. A comparator (52) compares the customer performance parameters to at least one associated customer performance standard and generates a customer difference signal. A customer profile adjuster (54) modifies the customer profile remotely in response to the customer difference signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A customer feedback acquisition and processing system is disclosed. Customer feedback, which may optionally include voice signals, is captured and stored in a database. The database can be searched to develop a subset of records pertaining to an area of interest. A data mining tool can then be used on the subset to identify trend(s) in the customer feedback records. The database tool assigns relevance scores to each word (“concept”) in one or more fields of the records in the subset. It then combines the concepts and develops new relevance scores for the combined concepts to identify trend(s) in the customer feedback records.

Abstract: A method of obtaining subscriber identification information using a subscriber number input by a customer calling a subscriber identification information service is provided. A switch recognizes a shortened telephone number provided by the customer and connects the customer to a peripheral network system. The customer provides the unrecognized subscriber number and the number is used to search a memory for corresponding subscriber identification information. If the information is available for the customer, the information is forwarded to the customer. If the information is unavailable for the customer, the customer is informed that the information is unavailable.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a facsimile message uses a public-switched telecommunications network, the public-switched telecommunication network having a messaging platform capable of storing a plurality of facsimile messages. The initiation of a telephone call to a destination is detected, the content of the call including the facsimile message. If the destination is available at a first time to receive a telephone call, the facsimile message is transmitted. The facsimile message may be stored on the messaging platform only if the destination is unavailable at the first time, or every time a telephone call is initiated by the originating party. The method also provides for situations where a telephone call is redirected, where an inter-NPA seven digit dialing case has occurred, and where “busy” or “no_answer” triggers are implemented. If the facsimile message was stored, the facsimile message is transmitted at a second time if the destination is available.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving information regarding a telephony platform and for retrieving the object of the services provided by the telephony platform corresponding to the information received. Customer premises equipment is connected to the general switched telephone network and to a supplemental service network via a central office switch. A telephony platform is connected to the general switched telephone network for providing accessory services such as voice mail, electronic mail and facsimile services. An event identifier is generated to identify a calling event. The event identifier may be attached to a message having caller identifier information. The event identifier is used if the caller is transferred to voice mail. If a voice mail message is left, an in formation indicator is attached to another caller identifier message that is maintained for display on the customer premises equipment to allow the user to determine which callers left messages.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote computer access and associated costs is provided. The system includes a remotely located communication server in communication with multiple host computer networks and in communication with a network access server. First and second memory devices contain a list of authorized users for the host computer networks and a user log for use by a billing computer to generate bills. The method includes the steps of creating starting and ending time stamps for each authorized user accessing a respective one of the multiple host computer networks and creating a user log to generate bills and monitor host computer network usage.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony services, such as caller ID, voice mail, selective call forwarding, and the like, to a remote subscriber, typically located outside the providers regional territory. The system can include customer premise equipment (CPE) selectively connectable to a remote central office (CO), a packet-switched network gateway, such as an Internet telephony gateway (ITG), for remotely communicating service requests to a local service node. The local service node can be located within the service provider's territory and returns telephony service responses via the packet-switched network gateway to the remote CO, and ultimately the remote CPE.

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 network for smart card applications using a smart card in combination with a smart card terminal. The network arrangement includes a communications network connected to at least one smart card terminal, and a central database server in operative communication with the network central office. The network central office is part of the public switched telephone network and transmits smart card data between the smart card terminal and central database server. The central database server includes many partitioned memory locations each containing information associated with a smart card application. The information contained in the partitioned memory locations is accessible by data pointers stored on the individual smart cards. In this manner, the amount of data stored on the smart cards using the system is reduced and all of the information relating to a smart card user is centralized in one location.

Abstract: A method (20) and system (50) is provided that permits a telephone caller to leave a message for a called party that does not have a conventional answering service, such as voice mail, an answering machine, a third-party operator-assisted answering service, or the like. A configurable blocking mechanism is also provided, permitting parties to prevent the message delivery service from being offered to callers attempting to reach them. The method (20) and system (50) can be implemented using an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In an AIN environment, the blocking mechanism can include a switch control point (SCP) (58) configured to access a termination blocking list (60). The termination blocking list (60) can be an SCP database file containing entries representing called parties who have blocked the message delivery service.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A system and method of routing both caller-paid and toll-free telephone calls includes a local exchange network and an interexchange network in communication with a call routing processor. The call routing processor receives status information on at least two call service centers and provides routing instructions to both the interexchange and local exchange networks. The method includes the steps of a call controller in a local exchange network communicating with a call routing processor also in communication with an interexchange network, the call controller identifying calls to call service centers and requesting instructions from the call routing processor.

Abstract: A method for providing the names of the city and state of a calling party to a called party when the calling party's name is unavailable. The method utilizes the calling party's telephone number to determine the names of the city and state from which the calling party is calling. The method incorporates a database that contains combinations of telephone numbers and the names of the cities and states that correspond to the various combinations of numbers. In response to an indication that the name of the calling party is unavailable, the method accesses the databases and searches for the matching telephone number and corresponding city and state names. If the names are found, they are delivered to the calling party.

Abstract: A first method comprises initiating a telecommunication network trigger based upon a service code dialed from an originating party. The service code includes an alphabetical abbreviation for a name of a telecommunication service. In dependence upon the trigger, a step of provisioning the telecommunication service for the originating party is performed. A second method comprises initiating a telecommunication network trigger based upon a code including “*M” or “#M”. In response to the trigger, a step of providing a menu of a plurality of telecommunication options in is performed. Systems and articles associated with the first and second methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Before completing a call initiated at a calling telephony device for a called telephony device; caller identification information for the calling telephony device is obtained for the call. If standard caller identification information is not available, the caller is prompted to provide spoken caller identification information. The caller identification information is communicated to the called telephony device via a connectionless protocol such as VoIP where a continuing connection does not exist between communicating end points. The called party is given call disposition options. The process which controls this operation may be located anywhere in the network, including at switching equipment and at the called telephony device.