Abstract: A system and method are provided for reviewing and updating a subscriber's telecommunications services, including a Caller ID service, using a graphical user interface via multiple data networks. The method includes presenting service data to the subscriber via the data networks and transmitting a data message from the subscriber to an intelligent peripheral via at least one of the data networks. The data message indicates a subscriber's desired update to a selected telecommunications service. The method also includes converting the data message into a protocol compatible with an integrated service control point. The converted data message is identical to a data message that the intelligent peripheral would create if the subscriber had entered the desired update via an interactive voice response system.

Abstract: A communications services network platform has a multi-layered software architecture residing on a host computer. The network platform connects to a communications network and includes a call processing stack, a link layer, and a service support subsystem. The call processing stack implements call processing by processing events associated with a communication path through the communications network and has an application layer, representing each active call being processed by the call processing stack, and a resource layer, including software abstractions of physical resources located outside the host computer. The link layer manages a communications link between physically connected physical resources and the call processing stack. The service support subsystem executes services requested by the call processing stack. The platform manages and controls communications events associated with the communication path to complete a request for services between nodes on the communication network.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a subscriber having a first telephone number that is out-of-service comprises providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number, and allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message. The message is made available to an interested party. A system for a subscriber to communicate with an interested party is also provided.

Abstract: A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

Abstract: A disclosed method provides automated scripting to guide a customer service representative (CSR) in handling a call from a customer. Operations within the method may include displaying products and two or more purpose classifications for selection by the CSR. The purpose classifications may include (a) an add classification for customer requests to add a new product to an account and (b) a remove classification for customer requests to remove an existing product from the account. A page generator may receive input from the CSR selecting one of the purpose classifications and one of the products as pertinent to the call. In response, the page generator may automatically displaying a customized page with scripted text for the CSR to read to the customer. The scripted text may correspond specifically both to the selected purpose classification and to the selected product.

Abstract: A method and system for automating customer slamming and cramming complaints includes an automated reporting system having one or more receiving devices and a complaint module. Customers who want to report a slam or cram access the automated reporting system and report the complaint without having to speak with a customer service representative. The complaint module obtains the customer telephone number and retrieves customer account information using the customer telephone number. Using the customer account information, the complaint module extrapolates a type of complaint for the customer complaint and prompts the customer for information regarding the customer complaint and the type of the complaint. The customer provides customer responses to the prompts and the complaint module provides an indication to the customer regarding each customer response.

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: An adjustable bit rate (ABR) feedback control scheme is provided where the effects of multiloop delays and high priority traffic transmission are built into the control model. The data traffic is filtered by a low pass filter. Then, the low frequency bandwidth of the filtered traffic is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the measured value exceeds the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is reduced. If the measured value is less than the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is increased. In addition, a General Prediction Control (GPC) method may be applied to the control model for optimal performance. An object of the invention is to minimize the unused link capacity subject to no congestion, where the ABR traffic is adapted to the low frequency variation of high priority traffic flow for high efficiency.

Abstract: A system for providing telecommunications equipment information and customer information that includes a display and a processor. The display displays a graphical user interface that allows a user to access the equipment information and the customer information. The graphical user interface includes at least one input area that allows a user to input search criteria, related to at least one of equipment data and customer data, to initiate a search. The graphical user interface also includes at least one results area that displays a result of the search, the result including at least one of the equipment information and the customer information related to the search criteria. The processor implements the search for at least one of the equipment information and the customer information in response to the input search criteria.

Abstract: A method of designing a user interface based on a list of user qualities and interactions of users. The method includes categorizing the users into groups based on at least one of user characteristics, performance characteristics, behavioral characteristics, and cognitive workload. The method further including designing the interface based upon the categorized groups and on goals for the user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring service between local exchange carriers. The method includes connecting a second local exchange carrier switch to a first local exchange carrier distribution frame while a first local exchange carrier switch is connected to the first local exchange carrier distribution frame. The method also includes initiating a disconnection of the first local exchange carrier switch from the first local exchange carrier distribution frame.

Abstract: A telecommunications billing system generates a bill for a local service provider when a call is routed for a subscriber of the local service provider by an incumbent telecommunications service provider. The system includes a billing generator that generates a billing record in response to receiving the call. The billing generator generates a terminating access billing record when the call is an unbundled local switching call to the subscriber of the local service provider. Alternatively, the billing generator generates an originating access billing record when the call is an unbundled local switching call from the subscriber of the local service provider.

Abstract: A method provides customized voice mail settings feature information to a telecommunications service subscriber. The method includes customizing a list of persistent settings features to include multiple persistent settings features that relate to telecommunications services subscribed to by the telecommunications service subscriber. The persistent settings features are maintained in a defined state through more than one subscriber session. The subscriber is sequentially prompted to select a persistent settings feature from the customized list by sequentially playing each of the persistent settings features to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method is provided for designing an interface system. The method includes receiving a call from a customer at a call center, and logging a reason the customer is calling the call center. Subsequently, reasons from multiple customers are collected and categorized into task categories to be performed by the interface system. Menu options can then be designed based upon the task categories. The menu options include some of the language the customers used to express the reason for calling the call center. Performance of the interface system is evaluated by using cumulative response time (CRT), which is a total time a user interfaces with the system, and routing accuracy. The routing accuracy accounts for whether the user successfully navigated the interface system to a correct destination, whether the user navigated to an incorrect destination, and whether the user did not navigate to any destination.

Abstract: The present invention is an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet via a dial-up connection to receive caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. The information may be provided via a pop-up dialog box on the subscriber's display, which includes but is not limited to a monitor of a personal computer (PC). The information displayed to the subscriber includes the name and number of the calling party, if available. In addition, several disposition options are presented to the subscriber solely via the Internet which, upon selection, determine the handling of the incoming call.

Abstract: An adjustable bit rate (ABR) feedback control scheme is provided where the effects of multiloop delays and high priority traffic transmission are built into the control model. The data traffic is filtered by a low pass filter. Then, the low frequency bandwidth of the filtered traffic is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the measured value exceeds the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is reduced. If the measured value is less than the threshold, the ABR traffic flow is increased. In addition, a General Prediction Control (GPC) method may be applied to the control model for optimal performance. An object of the invention is to minimize the unused link capacity subject to no congestion, where the ABR traffic is adapted to the low frequency variation of high priority traffic flow for high efficiency.

Abstract: A method for interfacing a subscriber to a voice mail component of a telecommunications system is provided. The method includes playing messages to the subscriber when the subscriber is in a message review area and providing a plurality of functions to the subscriber while the messages are playing and including an option of accessing a settings area. The method further includes placing the subscriber in a settings area in response to a subscriber's command and sequentially listing a series of persistent settings features when the subscriber is in the settings area.

Abstract: An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based distributed network switching system includes an ATM switching network that dynamically sets up individual switched virtual connections. The system also includes multiple access interworking function (A-IWF) devices each operating as a gateway that enables customer premises devices to directly interface into the distributed ATM switching fabric. The system further includes a centralized control and signaling interworking function (CS-IWF) device that performs call control functions and administrative functions and is adapted to interface narrowband and broadband signaling for call processing and control within the ATM switching network. The CS-IWF device may be a server farm.

Abstract: A communications system having a pre-defined calling group with a plurality of members is disclosed. A plurality of personal communication devices (PCDs) each have a system ID and a group ID, and each member of the group is assigned one of the PCDs. The system ID and the group ID both have a predetermined characteristic, where each system ID has a first variation thereof and each group ID has a second variation. A first group member having a first PCD contacts a second member having a second PCD by entering into the first PCD the second PCD group ID. The first PCD transmits the first PCD system ID and the second PCD group ID to a communications switch. Based on the first PCD system ID, the communications switch locates a record for the first PCD in a switch database and determines therefrom that the first PCD can contact the second PCD by way of the second PCD group ID. A group database in switchable communication with the communications switch has the system ID and group ID for each group member PCD.

Abstract: A new service destination determination switching system is provided for a telecommunications environment in which a called party has discontinued an old service destination and obtained a new service destination. The new service destination determination switching system is used to obtain the new service destination when a calling party places a call to the old service destination. The switching system includes a hub switch that receives a rerouted call from an old service destination switch. The hub switch corresponds to a routing number prefix used to reroute calls from the old service destination switch to the hub switch. The routing number prefix causes the hub switch to initiate a trigger to a network platform that obtains the new service destination.