Abstract: A system for transporting content to subscriber premises includes a centralized content repository, a subscriber unit, and a network connecting the subscriber unit and repository. The content can be video, image, or other files and the network can include a digital subscriber line (DSL) link. The repository stores higher quality parts of decomposed content files. The subscriber unit locally stores lower quality parts of the content files corresponding to the higher quality parts in the repository. The lower quality parts can be downloaded to the subscriber unit during off-peak hours. During operation, a subscriber selects a locally stored file. In response to the selection, the repository downloads at least one of the higher quality parts corresponding to the selected file to be combined with one of the lower quality parts stored by the subscriber unit for real-time presentation of the content.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering radio frequency interference in a signal transmitted on a twisted-pair communication channel such as an ADSL transmission line. The apparatus includes a filter adapted to be selectively engaged in-line with the communication channel by a switch or switches when the differential mode noise in any predetermined frequency sub-band exceeds a threshold noise level, or the sum of the sub-band noise signals exceeds a wideband threshold noise value. When the filter is not engaged, it is isolated from the communication channel by a bypass switch or pair of bypass switches.

Abstract: A method and system include routing telephone calls from multiple private networks via public lines and trunks in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a host switch, at which the connections would begin to run parallel. The host switch routes the telephone calls via a private trunk group to a private facility, such as an electronic tandem network (ETN) node or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. If the private trunk group is full or unavailable, the host switch routes the telephone calls over alternate private or public trunk groups and selected carriers.

Abstract: A billing method and system include discounting a customer's billing for telephone calls completed in a wide area centrex/PBX network, which includes an abbreviated dialing plan. A service control point (SCP) determines a call type code based upon a calling station and a called station of a telephone call. The SCP determines whether the call type code is eligible for discounted billing. When the call type code is eligible, the SCP generates a unique billing record that is forwarded to a service switching point (SSP). The SSP receives the forwarded unique billing record and modifies the billing record to indicate that a discount should be applied to the billing for the call when the call is completed. When the SSP does not receive the unique billing record, it creates a normal billing record.

Abstract: A method and system include restricting destinations of a telephone call from a calling station, which has been assigned a privilege class. A service control point (SCP) stores blocking tables, based on privilege classes, and a privilege class control table, which associates the blocking tables with each privilege class. The SCP ascertains the assigned privilege class of the calling station and determines whether the telephone call corresponds to one of the types of blocking tables. When the telephone call does correspond, the SCP determines whether the assigned privilege class corresponds to the blocking table that corresponds to the attempted call. When there is no privilege class correspondence, the SCP bypasses validation of the called number. When there is privilege class correspondence, the SCP validates the called number and blocks the call when the called number is validated or continues call processing when the called number is not validated.

Abstract: A method and system for generating customer reports based on station message detail recording (SMDR) data includes a service control point (SCP) in a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). The service control point samples calling data from multiple service switching points for calls originating from a private customer network, including centrex and PBX systems. The service control point interfaces with a front end processor and transmits the calling data. The front end processor formats the calling data into SMDR data, which is transmitted to a host central processing unit. The host generates reports regarding the SMDR calling data, the reports being accessible by a customer via a connection to a private customer network.

Abstract: A method and system include screening and routing telephone calls, generating calling data reports and discounting billing for a customer's wide area centrex/PBX network, which includes an abbreviated dialing plan. A service control point (SCP) determines whether to block an outgoing call based on stored blocking tables and a privilege class of the calling station. The SCP determines whether to route the call through a private trunk group from a host switch to a private facility, and through an alternative trunk group when the private trunk group is unavailable. The SCP determines whether the call is eligible for discounted billing and generates a billing record, which is modified by a service switching point to indicate the discount. The SCP also samples calling data from service switching points and transmits the sampled data to a front end processor for formatting into station message detail recording (SMDR) data.

Abstract: A method is provided for modeling types of customer service representatives that use a customer service representative interface. The models are used to provide data for designing the customer service representative interface. The method includes identifying behavior types of customer service representatives that use the customer service representative interface and modeling the identified behavior types of the customer service representatives to design a desired customer service representative interface.

Abstract: A call forwarding system for an AIN telecommunications environment is provided in which a destination has changed from an old telephone number to a new telephone number. A calling party places a call which attempts to contact the destination by dialing the old telephone number. The call forwarding system includes a hub switch, and an old address switch with which the calling party connects to upon dialing the old telephone number. The old address switch, upon recognizing that the calling party has called a telephone number which has been changed, prefixes the old telephone number with a three digit code, and forwards the call, along with the prefixed old telephone number, to the hub switch. The hub switch recognizes the three digit code, and launches an AIN trigger to an AIN platform which determines the new telephone number and whether the destination has elected to pay for forwarding the call to the new telephone number.

Abstract: A local routing system is provided for selectively routing traffic in a telecommunications network according to a local service provider's preferences. The local service provider provides service for telephone lines acquired from a local exchange carrier. The telecommunications network supports an originator subscribing to the local service provider. The originator initiates a trigger when originating a call to a destination by dialing a number. The local routing system includes a classifier, a determiner, and a router. The classifier analyzes the dialed number and categorizes the call into one of several predetermined classes of traffic. The determiner determines whether the local service provider has a routing preference for the class of traffic into which the classifier has placed the call.

Abstract: An interface to a voice mail system includes a message review area from where messages are played to a subscriber and a settings area. The message review area is immediately accessed when the subscriber enters the voice mail system. The settings area is accessed from the message review area when the subscriber enters a predetermined command. Settings features are sequentially accessed from the settings area. Functions directly available from the message review area are also provided.

Abstract: A rule based capacity management system for an inter office facility is provided. The system includes a presentation layer for providing a graphical user interface to a user. The presentation layer is capable of receiving one or more rules from the user and for providing one or more analytical reports of the equipment based on the rules. The system also includes a data layer for storing rules, including the rules received from the user, and for connecting to an inventory system such as trunks integrated record keeping system (TIRKS). The system also includes a business layer interfacing between the presentation layer and the data layer. The business layer creates the analytical reports responsive to the rules and the raw data.

Abstract: An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed virtual tandem switching system is provided in which a network of ATM-based devices is combined to create a distributed virtual tandem switch. The system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes a trunk interworking function (T-IWF) device and a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device. The trunk interworking function device converts end office voice trunks from TDM channels to ATM cells by employing a structured circuit emulation service. The centralized control and signaling interworking function device performs call control functions and interfaces narrowband signaling and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. Consequently, the ATM based distributed virtual tandem switching system replaces a standard tandem switch in the PSTN.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the characteristics of a subscriber loop associated with a customer modem comprises the steps of receiving line probing data from the modem and analyzing the line probing data to determine the circuit characteristics of the subscriber loop which relate to communication rate performance. The method generates a gain slope value as a function of the line probing data which is indicative of the length of the subscriber loop. The method also generates a loaded slope value as a function of the line probing data which is indicative of an inductive load on the subscriber loop. The method also generates an A/D value as a function of the line probing data which is indicative of an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion on the subscriber loop. The method then outputs an expected communication rate for the subscriber loop as a function of the gain slope, loaded slope, and A/D values, thereby providing a circuit analysis of the customer subscriber loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for routing a telephone call according to the geographic location of the originating party. A subscriber with multiple network locations within a service territory may have all of their offices accessible to customers through a single publicized telephone number. The single telephone number may trigger advanced intelligent network technology. The network may ascertain the geographic location from which the call originates and accordingly, route the originating call to a subscriber's office which is located closest to the originating caller. Further, exception periods may be provided to enable subscribers to individualize their service by only routing to the closest satellite office at specified days, times, etc. The exception periods may also be employed to reroute calls intended for the closest satellite office to a predetermined location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic.

Abstract: A method for categorizing, describing, and modeling types of system users where information from the models can be used in designing a user interface. Users may have improved performance using the user interface. A list of tentative behaviors of the users is created. This list is created by identifying the goals desired for the user interface or the user models, and listing expected and desired behaviors that are relevant to these goals. The list is revised to include only those behaviors that are important or frequent based on the goals. Categorizing the behaviors is performed by obtaining information from users regarding their characteristics and behaviors. Each user's behavioral information is then converted to a score or value. The users are then mapped or charted based on which behaviors they exhibit. The mapping or charting is analyzed to identify clusters of users. These clusters define groups of users that have similar behaviors. The groups are then analyzed to produce descriptions of each group.

Abstract: An adaptive SVC caching method and system are provided to offload the high processing capacity burden of ATM switches. After an SVC is established in a usual way for a call, it is not torn down after the conversation ends. Instead, the SVC is kept alive for a variable duration (i.e., delayed release) with the expectation that there will be another call request for the same terminating end office during that time. The caching duration is adaptively changed with call arrival rate and call setup delay in the ATM network in order to stay within a delay budget specified by the requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting a preferred wireless carrier from a plurality of wireless carriers for use by a mobile station when the mobile station is roaming outside of a home market area is provided. The apparatus comprises a database, a generator, and a data providing device. The database stores preferred wireless carrier identities for a plurality of market areas based upon predetermined classes of service, predetermined national accounts, and predetermined home market areas. The generator generates a list of the preferred wireless carrier identities based upon a selected class of service, a selected national account, a selected home market area of the mobile station. The data-providing device transmits the generated list to each mobile station designated with the selected class of service, selected national account and selected home market area.

Abstract: A system operable among compatible public networks, such as ATM networks, recognizes signals having external service addresses entering a controlled compatible public network. External service addresses are checked against a look-up of internal routing addresses that are generally only recognized and/or advertised within the controlled compatible public network, and that represent egress terminating interfaces. The external service address is replaced with the internal routing address, although the external service address is retained and transported. Routing to the egress terminating interface in the controlled compatible network is performed on the internal routing address only, without reference to the external service address. At the egress terminating interface, the internal routing address is discarded, and the external service address restored, as the signals are forwarded to the next entity, which is usually a connected compatible network or end system.