Abstract: A method and apparatus performing fault management in an optical communications system including a polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensator. The method and apparatus utilizes a controller receiving notifications indicative of PMD in the system, as well as at least one indicator from a system device providing an indication of an attribute of the communication system. Such system devices include a receiver providing a Q factor and a bit error rate (BER) of an optical signal, and a signal-to-noise ratio meter providing an SNR of the optical signal. The method intelligently provides fault management by correlating the PMD notifications and system indicators to distinguish between fiber failure, PMD-related degradations, and failure of monitoring equipment itself.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 27, 2001
Publication date:
September 5, 2002
Applicant:
WorldCom, INC.
Inventors:
Niall Robinson, Charles Mao, Frank A. McKiel
Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify a dialed number is described. A request is received from a calling party to send a first call station a number sent from the first call station and associated with a second call station. The number is sent in accordance with the request.
Abstract: A virtual private branch exchange (PBX) system that routes calls within a packet-switching network. Login information is received from a data device. The login information includes an alias identifying a user at the data device and a network address identifying the location of the data device on the packet-switching network. The virtual private branch exchange system associates the user's private branch exchange extension with the network address and routes calls to the user's (PBX) extension to the data device on the basis of the network address of the data device.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 25, 2002
Publication date:
August 22, 2002
Applicant:
WorldCom, INC.
Inventors:
Thomas J. Galvin, Michael C. Kirchner, Anthony W.S. Moey, Mark J. O'Brien, Joel K. Hanson
Abstract: Internet users may utilize a method and system for collecting small access fees for one-time/limited time access to fee for access web sites by capitalizing on the capabilities afforded by the combination of caller pays telephone service and intelligent network services that implement the voice response units for toll free service.
Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for achieving local number portability (LNP) costing and network management support is disclosed. The disclosure includes a LNP graphical user interface (GUI) implemented as, for example, a WEB or Internet based tool to audit related charges, and to enable users to determine ported number status on a real-time basis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 20, 2002
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
John Karau, Greg Usiskin, Anne Turner, Deborah Bauer
Abstract: A method for providing a pre-paid telephone calling card services to a calling party initiating a voice-based connection to a called party telephone using an internet-based IP Phone process running on a personal computer. The method comprises initiating an A-leg connection between the IP Phone process and an internet gateway utilizing a computer network connecting the personal computer and the internet Gateway, establishing a telephone connection between the internet gateway and a SCP. Once this connection is established, the SCP transmits a request to the calling party through the IP Phone process to provide account and call information. The calling party responds with the requested account and call information using the IP Phone process. The internet gateway then transmits the information to the SCP using DTMF tones. The SCP responds by transmitting an account query from the SCP to verify account and balance information for the calling party.
Abstract: An automation package may include facilities for enhancing the monitoring and recovery capabilities of a computer system within a distributed system. The automation package monitors interconnected queue managers. The queue managers are responsible for managing respective message queues and channels. The automation package automatically detects problems, such as the failure of the channel, and takes proactive steps to resolve the problems that are detected. As a result, there is no need for manual intervention and manual detection of problems. The automation package may include notification capabilities for notifying parties of problems.
Abstract: For use upon a high-frequency communications antenna comprising a reflector and a feed waveguide, a tool is provided to facilitate adjustment of polarization alignment by rotating the feed waveguide within the antenna. The tool engages a feed hub coupled to the feed waveguide provides a readily accessible lever arm to facilitate rotating the feed hub. Use of the tool allows fine adjustment of polarization alignment and reduces the incidence of damage and impairments that occur when other feed system components are improperly used to apply torque.
Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.
Abstract: A next generation service node (NGSN) for providing advanced interactive voice response (IVR) services within a telecommunications network. The NGSN includes intelligent peripherals implemented as network audio servers, and application servers which execute customer application files to perform IVR services. The NGSN provides reliability through redundancy of application servers, including automatic application server failover within a node, and automatic node failover between NGSNs. The NGSN features include modular software and hardware architecture with internal function encapsulation. This allows multiple vendors products to be used and provides a common signaling interface to be used to any switch network. Other NGSN features include an open systems architecture with improved scaleability and increased application processing capability.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 7, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 30, 2002
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey W. Campbell, Henry N. Fly, Allen Holmes, Daniel Hutton, Judy A. Moldenhauer, Phyllis D. Santa
Abstract: The present invention performs automated testing on service applications using automatically generated logs, so that new testing applications do not need to be created for each new release of a service application. The invention further provides for testing of all aspects of the service application by accounting for all data and processes performed, and does so without interfering with the processing of the service application. An Automated Regression Tester (ART) captures and records data generated by the execution of an initial version of a service application. This data is recorded to a first test log. When a new or ported version of that service application is developed, the first test log is used by the ART to generated output that emulates the operating environment, including caller and user input, of the service application. The processing of the new/ported version of the service application is captured and recorded to a second test log.
Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses an continuous analytical function representing mapping data relating object voice connection measurements to likely user perception of the quality of a voice connection. The device is compact and inexpensive. It can be implemented on a single integrated circuit, or on a single printed circuit board. CPU processing time is significantly reduced. The device obtains a real-time estimate of likely user perception of a given connection in terms of a user perception rating system. The device is reprogrammable, enabling it to be updated as more accurate mapping data is obtained.
Abstract: A resource management system for an intelligent communications network having one or more distributed service nodes, each service node for providing services relating to an event received at a network resource associated with a service node. The system comprising a first processing tier comprising one or more local execution environments located at a node, each execution environment including a mechanism for instantiating one or more service objects capable of performing event services at a first local execution environment, and, for generating status information relating to executing service objects; and, a second processing tier associated with a service node and including a system processor for tracking status and availability of service objects and local execution environments.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2002
Assignee:
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew Dugan, Allen Holmes, Kelvin R. Porter, Terence A. Robb
Abstract: Provided is a method and system for managing audio portions of test cases with the respective test case so that the tester (client) has access to the audio portion of test cases. Providing this functionality is particularly novel in that audio is captured within a heterogeneous client/server test environment wherein a single tester from a single client interface can test on any of a variety of test platforms. This invention allows managing audio test portions of test cases with the respective test case so that the tester (client) has access to the audio portion of test cases interactively, or at some future time. The management of the test cases is appropriately performed in the heterogeneous client/server environment. In one embodiment, the test unit(s) connected to the custom server provide an interface to perform recording of the voice path of the test case telephone call.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2002
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
William R. Liese, Kevin K. Watson, David L. Florcik, Craig E. Newman, Brian S. Badger
Abstract: A method and system for presenting in real-time a conference data set having document data, video data, and audio data, to a remote computing system of a remotely located conference participant. The system receives configuration data for the remote computing system and uses the received configuration data to select a conference data set format suitable for transmission to the remote computing system. The system encodes the conference data set in the selected conference data set format and selects an appropriate transmission web page for the encoded conference data set using the received configuration data. The system then transmits the encoded conference data set from the selected transmission web page over a public network to the remote computing system, wherein the remotely located conference participant accesses the encoded conference data set using a web browser.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 16, 2002
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
Brian L. McNeill, Christopher N. DelRegno
Abstract: A state-of-polarization (SOP)-independent device 226, 326 and method for determining polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in an optical communication system having an optical transmission line, including a detector 244, 344 coupleable to the optical transmission line, where the detector 244, 344 is capable of analyzing a pulse shape of an optical signal on the optical transmission line to determine PMD of the optical signal. A corrector 246, 346 may be coupled to the detector 244, 344, where the corrector 246, 346 is capable of compensating the optical signal for the determined PMD. A controller 242, 342 may be coupled to the detector 244, 344 and the corrector 246, 346. The pulse shape may comprise an eye diagram, which may contain a first peak and a second peak due to PMD, where the PMD determined by the detector 244, 344 is a function of the distance between the detected first and second peaks, which is indicative of a time delay between the detected first and second peaks.
Abstract: A system receives information from users relating to activities that may impact a network. The system then automatically generates a ticket to track the activity. The system also automatically selects a recipient(s) for a notification message relating to the activity and transmits the notification message to the intended recipient(s).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 4, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 16, 2002
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
David G. Vermilyea, Mark J. Adamson, Jamie E. Kirby, Manoj K. Jha
Abstract: To ensure the integrity of a telecommunications network provisioned with a distributed restoration algorithm (DRA), a communications network is provided for routing signaling messages such as DRA restoration and maintenance messages among the various nodes of the network. Thus, while data is sent among the nodes via the working links interconnecting the various nodes, signal messages are communicated among the various nodes by way of the independent communications network, which may be a wide area network. By reallocating the signal messages to a separate network, an efficient telecommunications network is effected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 9, 2002
Assignee:
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
Jasvantrai C. Shah, Lee Dennis Bengston, Clint Allen Wagner, Hal Badt
Abstract: A novel communication system including mobile units distributed within a wireless communication network which are connected to a packet switched network (e.g., the Internet) via a proxy server is disclosed. The proxy server converts unicast data packets coming from the packet switched network to multicast data packets being transmitted to the mobile units, and is also responsible for the overall management and control of the communication system.
Abstract: A system and method for detecting and preventing a fraudulent telephone call in telecommunication system is provided. First, a terminating number of a first call and a originating number of a second call are received from a telecommunication network. The terminating number of the first call is compared with the originating number of the second calls which are originated within a predetermined time period from a termination of the first call. After comparison, it is determined whether the first and the second calls are fraudulent telephone call.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 9, 2002
Assignee:
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
Inventors:
Anna L. Harrison, Erin C. Jackman, Dean Marchand