Abstract: A telephone system and method is provided for delaying authorization validation queries until a dialed phone is answered. This way, authorization validation queries are avoided in cases where a requested phone line is busy or not answered. In a collect call scheme the system may even delay queries until a party agrees to accept the collect call billing charges. This way, query charges are avoided not only for busy signals and no-answers, but also in the event that the requested party declines to accept the charges. Because authorization validation queries typically take less than one half of a second, parties are not significantly affected by the delay.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for transmitting proprietary parameters in a telecommunications network conforming to the ANSI SS7 ISUP Standard. The method includes the steps of identifying proprietary parameters to be transmitted as part of an ISUP SS7 signaling message that includes a network specific Generic Digits parameter and encapsulating those parameters within the network specific Generic Digits parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving data and commands from a telephone are described. The system receives a signal (such as a DTMF signal) from a telephone. The system identifies a symbol (i.e., a key) associated with the signal, and determines a duration of the signal. Then, the system stores the symbol and duration in a queue. The received signals are preferably processed by service processors. The service processors translate the received signals according to their respective symbols and durations with reference to a translation table. These service processors provide interactive telecommunication services to telephone users. Also described is a calculator service processor that provides a calculator service to telephone users. The calculator service processor translates some of the signals as operands, and others of the signals as operators. The calculator service processor preferably translates these received signals according to their respective symbols and durations.

Abstract: Phone calls between data modems may be transferred without dropping the phone calls. An intermediate modem phone call is established between modems that are not currently involved in a modem call to activate a modem that is to receive a modem call transfer. After the modem that is to receive the transfer is activated, the modem call transfer occurs with the assistance of a switching mechanism, such as an automatic call distributor (ACD). The interruption to the modem caused by the transfer is negligible enough so as to not cause the modem call to be dropped. For some types of modems, a three-way conference call may be established between modems and one of the modems may be dropped to realize the modem call transfer.

Abstract: Enhanced voice services (EVS) interactively communicate with a caller so as to provide audio prompting and selection of the final termination of a call. The present improvement includes load balancing, wherein degraded service of audio response units (ARUs) is detected. With load balancing, individual EVS ARU nodes are lumped into groups, where a group is a set of two or more functionally identical EVS audio response units (ARUs) that all support the same EVS customer applications. An inbound call for a given EVS application can be routed, based on a lookup at the data access point (DAP), to any ARU in the group. With the operating level of each ARU in a particular group being known, the percent allocations for each ARU are determined and an update is made at the DAP to route incoming calls to each ARU in the group according to the specified percentages.

Abstract: An antenna mounting system including at least one level indicating device mounted on a mast of the antenna for providing a constant indication of the alignment of the mast relative to a selected orientation of the mast with respect to the horizon.

Abstract: A method of and system for creating telecommunication system test cases. The system includes a first user interface for the input of test case information for the creation of at least partially complete test case outlines. The test case outlines are stored in a test case outline storage. A lab data database contains laboratory data. The system includes a process for searching the database of laboratory data and creating completed test case outlines from partially completed test case outlines. A rules database contains rules for generating test case output data from test case outlines. The system includes a process for applying rules from the rules database to test case outlines to generate test case output data.

Abstract: A method and system for heterogeneous network testing by a plurality of users is disclosed. The present invention provides at least one client machine, an execution server, and at least one custom server in a LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network) environment for heterogeneous network testing in which one or more client machines may communicate with the execution server which in turn manages one or more custom servers that execute requested test cases. The Custom Servers may be of various types, including ISDN servers, SS7 servers and CG servers. A user on the network communicates to a Client Machine which test case or test cases are to be executed. The requested test cases are retrieved and may be edited by the user on the Client Machine prior to communicating the test case information from the Client Machine to the Execution Server which coordinates the execution of test cases by an appropriate Custom Server.