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.

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 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.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network provisioned with a distributed restoration scheme, to determine the reactions and responses of the network while the network is “live” or operational, an exercise information message is provided to the network for presenting a simulated failure or failures thereto. This exercise information message is broadcast to all of the nodes of the network so that every node is aware of the simulated failure scenario. Modified DRA messages that indicate that they are exercise only messages are used by the nodes for executing the exercise restoration process. Such exercise restoration process will proceed as if an actual failure has occurred with the notable exception that no actual cross-connections will be made. Certain functionalities are provisioned to the nodes to allow the exercise restoration process to be aborted if a real failure is detected or upon the expiration of a timer.

Abstract: System and a method for facilitating the use of a preferred, discount rate pre-paid telephone calling card. The system and method include and involved a data storage system for storing data corresponding to a pre-paid telephone calling card and at least one location identifier related to the pre-paid telephone calling card. The location identifier(s) corresponding to at least one telephone call service rate. The system and method also include and involve a pre-paid telephone calling card processing system that is coupled to the data storage system and which is configured to receive the location identifier(s) during a setup call over a telephone network and to cause the location identifier(s) to be stored in the data storage system during the setup call.

Abstract: Terminating number screening to block portable billing products from terminating to a designated high fraud domestic or international terminating numbers. When a call is placed and it is billed to a portable billing product, the dialed digits of the terminating number is verified against the terminating number screening database. If the sequence of dialed digits is found in the terminating number screening database, the call is denied. The caller is then informed that they cannot place a call to this destination and asked if there is another terminating number they wish to call. If the sequence of dialed digits is not found in the terminating number screening database, the call is allowed to process without interruption. The purpose of this functionality is to protect the Operator Service network from repeated fraudulent calling to individual telephone line numbers either international or domestic.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for detecting fraudulent calling card calls to predefined high fraud countries including a call-intercept system capable of verifying call identities in order to prevent fraudulent calling card use.

Abstract: An optical network includes a first optical cross-connect with a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports and a plurality of working channel optical transmitters and a second optical cross-connect with a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports and a plurality of working channel optical receivers. The first and second optical cross-connects are interconnected by a primary route and a secondary route. The network includes a protection channel optical transmitter and a protection channel optical receiver. The protection channel transmitter and receiver are adapted to transmit and receive signals in the event of a working channel transmitter or receiver failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing state-of-polarization (SOP) controllers along an optical communications link. When the polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) in the link exceeds a preset limit as determined by a PMD compensator, the SOP controller is directed to change rotation angle in an arbitrary fashion. This shift is only undertaken after other indicators are examined to determine that PMD is the main problem affecting the link, and not simply a consequence of a separate problem that the SOP controller rotation angle should not try to fix. By reducing unnecessary SOP adjustments which can disrupt data traffic, the reliability of the optical link is improved.

Abstract: A call intercept process (CIP) for calling card calls originating from an international country and terminating to high fraud domestic USA, and Canada locations. When a call is placed via a calling card and terminates to a high fraud domestic location, the call is optionally screened against a database which keys on international originating country access numbers. Whether this screening implemented, the call is routed to a first level operator in order to verify the billing account information of the caller as an authorized user. This verification is based on customer and business name, address, zip code, and phone number. If the caller passes verification, a CIP process automatically overrides the calling card from any future Intercepts. If caller fails account verification, the a CIP process automatically places the card in a ‘LOCKED STATUS MODE’ which mode indicates that any additional calls based on that card be intercepted regardless of termination.

Abstract: System and methodology for providing real-time call processing services received at a switch in an intelligent network having one or more service nodes having originating switches for receiving a call event. The system includes a platform-independent communication system for enabling communication between object instances executing at service nodes in the intelligent network. An operating system agent object instance executing in an execution environment associated with an originating switch communicates call origination information corresponding to a call event received at the switch to one or more object instances executing in an execution environment provided at a service node in the network; the object instances including a line object instance for maintaining the state of a communications line associated with a call origination, and, a service object implementing methods for performing a service according to a customer 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.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating intelligent network call processing using a centralized call context database. The system and method include and involve a call context database and an intelligent telecommunications network that is coupled to the call context database. The network includes and involves an access network element capable of receiving a call, generating first call context data and a network call identifier related to the call, storing the call context data and the network call identifier in the call context database, transmitting the network call identifier, and processing the call. The network further includes and involves a plurality of network elements that are coupled to the call context database and to the access network element. Each network element is capable of receiving the call and/or data related to the call (e.g.

Abstract: A virtual private network includes an internet protocol (IP) network and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). An enterprise gateway is operably connected to the IP network. The enterprise gateway is operably connected to a switch of the PSTN through a direct access line (DAL). The set-up signaling for virtual private network calls and the calls themselves are transported across the internet protocol network and the public switched telephone network through the direct access line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent call processor, an intelligent switching node and an intelligent communications network for use in a communications system. The intelligent call processor comprises a logical platform having a plurality of functions wherein at least one of the functions is service processing function, at least one of the functions is call processing, and at least one of the functions is facility processing, and a processor for executing the plurality of functions. The intelligent switching node comprises an intelligent call processor and, a resource complex communicably linked to the intelligent call processor and logically separated from the intelligent call processor.

Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.

Abstract: System and method for managing the collection, trending, and tracking of trouble ticket data within a data processing environment. The system and method include and involve a central data storage facility for storing trouble ticket data including archival type data corresponding to customer support requests and inquiries according to a common data storage scheme, and a plurality of data processing systems coupled to the central data storage facility via a network system, etc. Each data processing system of the plurality of data processing systems is configured to facilitate collection, trending, and tracking processes related to the trouble ticket data stored in the central data storage facility via a graphical user interface configured in accordance with the common data storage scheme.

Abstract: An Internet/Intranet World Wide Web (Web)-based centralized common interface repository system for event notifications and report outputs generated by different server applications and/or application platforms is provided as a message center. Such message center includes a common graphical user interface to a customer for viewing and receiving the report outputs and event notifications. The report outputs and event notifications are communicated in priority order using multithreading and multiprocessing mechanism wherein multiple messages may be serviced or received simultaneously. An Internet/Intranet Web-based information delivery system infrastructure capable of providing for the secure initiation, acquisition, and presentation of information from any customer computer platform having a Web browser is also provided.

Abstract: A LAN/WAN network topology and design methodology using Internet Protocol (IP) subnet topology, ATM WAN configuration, equipment placement, and device configuration to provide partitioning of a call processing application across multiple sites. The partitioning reduces latency for mission critical messages, while providing for necessary provisioning traffic needs. Further, the overall topology provides the redundancy and resiliency necessary for mission critical call processing application, utilizing the IP subnets, ATM permanent virtual circuits, network device configuration, and server segregation to achieve Quality of Service (QoS).

Abstract: A web/Internet-based Outbound Network Management tool that enables customers of telecommunications network providers to modify outbound access to their virtual networks via a Web/Internet-based graphical user interface. Via a secure Web/Internet-based connection, the tool enables customers to add, create, modify or view their outbound network telecommunications network assets including: calling party numbers, calling cards, virtual network dialing plans, and their Code ID/Set attributes and features associated with their virtual networks.