Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for providing a reverse channel to enable interactive communication between a DBS subscriber and DBS service provider. The addition of an interactive return channel overcomes the problems associated with existing audience measurement systems as well as the problems associated with existing DBS signal security techniques.

Abstract: A method of providing a Private Telephone Network over a Public Telephone Network is described. A Private Network is a telecommunications service which has controlled access, and is generally provided to customers having two or more geographic locations. A Private Network is provided by embedding originating customer site identification and a Private Network Routing Code into an Initial Address Message at the originating End Office associated with the originating customer site. This Initial Address Message is routed to a Service Switching Point by the Private Network Routing Code. At the Service Switching Point, reference is made to databases defining the members of the Private Network, and a destination End Office identification and a destination customer site identification associated with the destination customer site is embedded into the Initial Address Message.

Abstract: A subscriber interface operating as a Personal Agent is provided to simplify, enhance and integrate the currently fragmented telephone services. The Personal Agent enables the subscriber to access and activate telephone network services using voice recognition technology. The subscriber interface is seamlessly integrated with the telephone network to enable the subscriber to perform one or more activation and deactivation commands of telephone features, initiate a call, and take calls at their discretion. The subscriber interface also enables the subscriber to administer the options that tailor the system to the subscriber. Access and activation of telephone features are enabled by the subscriber using voice commands. In particular, the present invention integrates Calling Line ID (CLID) with the names identified in a voice dialing personal directory and/or Name Display database to enable the user to use spoken names to instruct the various telephone features to work specifically on particular lines, e.g.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a ported called party is disclosed. Once the dialed digits are received at a switching office serving the calling party, a determination is made of whether the call is a number that has been ported. If the number has been ported, the new routing information is obtained from an enhanced directory number table resident at the originating office. In the event that the originating office is unable to offer LRN service, information is obtained at an alternate office. Routing information is updated automatically and directly from a network Service Management System (SMS) to each telephone exchange.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. An Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office is forwarded from an originating office to a terminating office. Once the IAM is received at the terminating office, a determination of whether the call is directed to a portable number is made. If the call is directed to a portable number, a release message containing an indication that the called party number is a portable number is forwarded from the terminating office to the originating office. Once the release message is received at the originating office, a TCAP query is launched from the originating office to an SCP if said release message contains an indication that the called party number is a portable number. At the SCP, the called party number is translated to obtain new routing information.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. Once the dialed digits are received at a switching office serving the calling party, a determination is made of whether the call is directed to a portable number. In a first embodiment, if the call is directed to a portable number, a TCAP query is launched from the originating office to an SCP. At the SCP, the dialed digits are translated to obtain new routing information. The new routing information, which is returned to the originating office is used to create an Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office associated with the new routing information. In a second embodiment, the new routing information is obtained from a directory number table resident at the originating office.

Abstract: A subscriber interface operating as a Personal Agent is provided to simplify, enhance and integrate the currently fragmented telephone services. The Personal Agent enables the subscriber to access and activate telephone network services using voice recognition technology. The subscriber interface is seamlessly integrated with the telephone network to enable the subscriber to perform one or more activation and deactivation commands of telephone features, initiate a call, and take calls at their discretion. The subscriber interface also enables the subscriber to administer the options that tailor the system to the subscriber. Access and activation of telephone features are enabled by the subscriber using voice commands. In particular, the present invention integrates Calling Line ID (CLID) with the names identified in a voice dialing personal directory and/or Name Display database to enable the user to use spoken names to instruct the various telephone features to work specifically on particular lines, e.g.

Abstract: A telephone network comprises at least one switching unit having a plurality of subscriber access lines each having an associated calling number and, a storage device storing a plurality of listings of destination numbers. Each listing is associated with a respective one of the calling numbers and defines defining a personalized local calling area for that particular calling number. The switching unit detects a destination number dialed by a caller setting up a call, accesses the personalized local calling area listing for that calling number, and compares the detected destination number with the selected listing to determine whether the call is local or long distance. Each of the listings may comprise numbers having between three and ten digits. Provision may be made for the subscriber to create the personalized calling area by adding entries to, or deleting entries from, a standard local calling area common to a group of subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method of preventing call congestion on outgoing trunks of a local telephone exchange is provided. A virtual trunk group representing a percentage of the total trunk capacity is assigned at the local exchange for carrying calls which are likely to cause congestion. In one embodiment of the invention, call segregation is achieved by using the prefixed dialling code 1+1 followed by the destination number. In another embodiment of the invention, segregation is dynamically achieved using Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) routing.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for mediating signalling protocol dialogue between an internal signalling network operational domain operated by one network operator and an external signalling network operational domain operated by another network operator. One embodiment provides a method of dividing the SS7 traffic (Message Signal Units or MSUs) arriving for Mediation, into classes such that network performance requirements can be met, wherein some message classes will receive only normal SS7 processing while others will be analyzed in detail. MSUs requiring detailed analysis must be routed to a mediation application process appropriate to that class. Another embodiment provides a method of manipulating Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) address parameters in the SMP in order to maintain normal SS7 message processing and routing functions while mediating individual messages.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. An Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office is forwarded from an originating office to a terminating office. Once the IAM is received at the terminating office, a determination of whether the call is directed to a portable number is made. If the call is directed to a portable number, a release message containing an indication that the called party number is a portable number and containing new routing information is forwarded from the terminating office to the originating office. A new IAM is then sent from the originating office to a terminating office associated with the routing information.

Abstract: A subscriber interface operating as a Personal Agent is provided to simplify, enhance and integrate the currently fragmented telephone services The Personal Agent enables the subscriber to access and activate telephone network services using voice recognition technology. The subscriber interface is seamlessly integrated with the telephone network to enable the subscriber to perform one or more activation and deactivation commands of telephone features, initiate a call, and take calls at their discretion. The subscriber interface also enables the subscriber to administer the options that tailor the system to the subscriber. Access and activation of telephone features are enabled by the subscriber using voice commands. In particular, the present invention integrates Calling Line ID (CLID) with the names identified in a voice dialing personal directory and/or Name Display database to enable the user to use spoken names to instruct the various telephone features to work specifically on particular lines, e.g.

Abstract: In a telephone network having a number of telephone switching offices which have CCS7 signalling capabilities and wherein each switching office is linked to STPs (Signalling Transfer Points), or other switching offices with CCS7 signalling links, a method of detecting mass calling events using CCS7 signalling data is disclosed. Each signalling link connecting a switch is monitored. For each call, an Initial Address Message sent from an originating switch to a terminating switch is identified. The IAM is then temporarily stored in storage means. When the occurrence of a release message indicative of an unsuccessful call attempt is detected, an identification of which of the stored IAMs corresponds to the release message is made. A count is computed for each directory (DN) having an IAM with a corresponding release message indicative of an unsuccessful call attempt such that mass calling events directed to a directory number can be detected.

Abstract: A method for creating a virtual public numbering domain, which will coexist with and be parallel and non-intrusive to the existing geographic North American telephone network numbering plan is disclosed. It will have sufficient capacity to provide additional and more flexible numbering resources which will stimulate and enable many new service applications. The existing telephone network infrastructure has digital switching points and a database system. The method includes receiving at one of the digital switching points a called number, and verifying whether the number called is a number of the virtual public dial plan.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. An Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office is forwarded from an originating office to a terminating office. Once the IAM is received at the terminating office, a determination of whether the call is directed to a portable number is made. If the call is directed to a portable number, a release message containing an indication that the called party number is, a portable number and containing new routing information is forwarded from the terminating office to the originating office. A new IAM is then sent from the originating office to a terminating office associated with the routing information.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a called party is disclosed. An Initial Address Message (IAM) containing the calling and called party's numbers to enable said call to reach said terminating office is forwarded from an originating office to a terminating office. Once the IAM is received at the terminating office, a determination of whether the call is directed to a portable number is made. If the call is directed to a portable number, a release message containing an indication that the called party number is a portable number is forwarded from the terminating office to the originating office. Once the release message is received at the originating office, a TCAP query is launched from the originating office to an SCP if said release message contains an indication that the called party number is a portable number. At the SCP, the called party number is translated to obtain new routing information.

Abstract: A method for creating a virtual public numbering domain, which will coexist with and be parallel and non-intrusive to the existing geographic North American telephone network numbering plan is disclosed. It will have sufficient capacity to provide additional and more flexible numbering resources which will stimulate and enable many new service applications. The existing telephone network infrastructure has digital switching points and a database system. The method consists of receiving at one of the digital switching points a called number, and verifying whether the number called is a number of the virtual public dial plan.

Abstract: A method of providing multi-switch business group (MBG) services at each of a plurality of locations is described. The MBG services can be provided for calls made from a calling party served by an originating switch at one location to a called party served by a terminating switch at a location serviced by an inter-exchange carrier (IEC). When the calling party goes off-hook, a determination is made of whether the call is made from a centrex line. Digits dialed by the calling party are then collected at the originating switch. A determination is then made of whether the dialed digits contain an access code indicative that the call is to be routed to one of the plurality of locations which is served by an IEC. If the call is to be routed via an IEC, the initial address message (IAM) required for IEC calls, is modified to include MBG service information. This will permit MBG services to be offered between the calling party and the called party over public CCS7 trunks routed via an IEC.