Abstract: A service order management system provisions service orders in a communications network having multiple network elements. The service order management system includes an order manager and an interface. The order manager, which receives requests representative of service orders for at least one communications service from dissimilar service order sources, includes an input process and an output process which determine, at least in part, service implementing information provided to the network elements to implement the at least one communications service. The interface is configured to interface the service order management system with the dissimilar service order sources.

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 service management system for a communications network which accepts requests for communications services from service order sources. The service management system includes an interface to the service order sources, a database, and an interface to network elements which provide the communications services. The service order sources may have differing order input formats which are converted by the system into a single internal format for processing and determining of provisioning information to be output to the network elements. The service management system includes table-driven logic which is used to validate and process the requests to determine the provisioning information. Once the provisioning information is determined, it is queued to the appropriate network element, and an acknowledgment is sent to the originating service order source. The service management system also includes a interface to query the database and network elements to perform debugging and error correction.

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 service management system for a communications network which accepts requests for communications services from service order sources. The service management system includes an interface to the service order sources, a database, and an interface to network elements which provide the communications services. The service order sources may have differing order input formats which are converted by the system into a single internal format for processing and determining of provisioning information to be output to the network-elements. The service management system includes table-driven logic which is used to validate and process the requests to determine the provisioning information. Once the provisioning information is determined, it is queued to the appropriate network element, and an acknowledgment is sent to the originating service order source. The service management system also includes a interface to query the database and network elements to perform debugging and error correction.

Abstract: An apparatus integrates disparate systems. The apparatus includes a platform that supports a control interface. The platform also supports a different user interface for each of the disparate systems. The platform enables the formatting and transfer of data from the apparatus to each of the disparate systems.

Abstract: A service management system for a communications network which accepts requests for communications services from service order sources. The service management system includes an interface to the service order sources, a database, and an interface to network elements which provide the communications services. The service order sources may have differing order input formats which are converted by the system into a single internal format for processing and determining of provisioning information to be output to the network elements. The service management system includes table-driven logic which is used to validate and process the requests to determine the provisioning information. Once the provisioning information is determined, it is queued to the appropriate network element, and an acknowledgment is sent to the originating service order source. The service management system also includes a interface to query the database and network elements to perform debugging and error correction.

Abstract: An apparatus that integrates a plurality of disparate systems. a common control interface is presented to a user of the apparatus. The user employs an inputting device to enter data required by the plurality of disparate systems. The inputted data is inputted to the common interface. The data is then transferred from the common control interface to at least one of the plurality of disparate systems.

Abstract: A queuing system for manipulating items sent between a plurality of application servers comprising a queue implemented in a table stored in a relational database system. Storing the table in a database allows recovery of the queue at any moment in time in case of a system malfunction. A queue handling system which manipulates queue items is provided. Also, a plurality of database queue handler servers are provided, each server monitoring the queue in order to determine when an item is ready to be dequeued. If a ripe item is found, the database queue handler server calls the queue handling system which in turn calls precompiled logic to dequeue the ripe items. Each database queue handler server subsequently forwards the dequeued items to the correct application server for processing. Logical partitions may be provided to prevent more than one database queue handler server from simultaneously accessing items in the queue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adaptor for simulating the presence of a PBX device in a telephone network. The adaptor connects to an external line from the central office, and a test set. When the central office seizes the line, the adaptor responds by inducing a wink. The central office, believing that it has received an authentic PBX response, sends data to the PBX site responsive to the wink. The adaptor relays these signals to the external test set for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for remotely testing communications circuits, such as digital communications circuits for telephony-based services. According to the disclosed apparatus and method, status or history information related to the communications circuits is received from a tracking system. A control system is provided which manages testing of the communications circuits, and a database is provided which stores data associated with the communications circuits. Further, a testing system which performs a test operation or a predetermined sequence of tests on the communications circuits and determines a condition of the tested circuit(s), and a notification system which notifies service center personnel of the condition of the tested circuit are also provided. Information is received from the tracking system and utilized to extract a list of the communication circuits to be tested, which are stored in the database.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adaptor for measuring an echo return loss in a communication system. The adaptor includes two transformers, each having a primary winding and two secondary windings. The secondary windings are cross-connected to form first and second out of phase circuits. The first circuit includes impedance elements which match an impedance of an external device. When the external device is attached to the second circuit, the first and second circuits are schematically equivalent, albeit out of phase. When an oscillation signal is input to one transformer, the matched impedance and out-of-phase connection of the secondary windings cancel the signal such that only an echo signal is output by the other transformer.

Abstract: A post driver for inserting or removing marker posts into the ground. The driver comprises two components, the hammer and the bracket, which cooperate in a safe and efficient means for installing and removing marker posts. The hammer locks around the post and the bracket attaches to the vertically aligned holes which are located on the face of the post.

Abstract: A removable electrical ground clamp is provided that is easily installed on an outside electrical meter or breaker box by establishing pressure contact with the box. An attachment lug is provided on the grounding clamp for connecting a ground wire for use when electrical power is to be brought to a residence or some other outside electrical work or installation. The grounding clamp is designed to eliminate the need for access into an area of a residence or other building to establish a ground connection, provides instant visual inspection; and two grasping arms can be moved along an elongated member, which can be cylindrical, hexagonal, or U-shaped, in order to securely grip the outer surface of the meter or breaker box.

Abstract: A method of identifying the disposition of portable modular plug-in units (11) of telecommunications equipment. A bar code (15) is first placed on each plug-in unit (11). A scanner (21) or a personal computer (25) is then programmed to identify which plug-in units (11) are to be scrapped, which are to be modified, which are to be tested, and which require no action. Each bar code (15) is scanned with a scanning wand (17) and then the scanner (21) or computer (25) is read to determine what action to take regarding each plug-in unit (11).

Abstract: A method and device for reducing the cost and out of service time in repairing defective wire pairs in telephone networks. The device comprises a cable having metal prongs on each end which correspond to the receptacles on the protector block which is located on the vertical component of the central office distributing frame. The device is used to connect the receptacles on the protector block that are connected to a new functioning pair of field wires to the receptacles on the protector block of the office wires of the nonfunctioning old pair of wires. Thus, restoring service to a customer through a new wire pair until permanent wiring can be installed on the horizontal component of the central office distributing frame.