Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing calls initiated by an initial call attempt request to permit the characteristics of call connections established in response to the ICA request to be controlled by translation information of a defining port. The defining port can be a real port of a switch, or a pseudo port having associated therewith a block of translation information, but no physical network equipment. Among the characteristics that can be controlled are a billing number of the call, and a routing plan for determining a route based on destination information specified in the ICA request, and the line or trunk features offered in the switch. Advantageously, the characteristics of the ICA request connection can be specified by translation information instead of being inflexibly tied to the pre-defined standard characteristics.

Abstract: A telecommunication system configured for use with a network for handling special number calls is described. The network includes a plurality of switching junctions connected by a plurality of channels, a plurality of service providing stations connected into the network at at least one of the switching junctions and the plurality of channels for effecting various telecommunication milieux. Selected of the service providing stations serve customer-operated communication devices using selected of the telecommunication milieux. The system comprises: (a) an action station configured for selective connection with action agencies; (b) an answering station connected with an action station; (c) a call processing center connected with an answering station and configured for connection with the network; and (d) an on-demand answering station connected in a virtual private network with a call processing center and with an action station.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting the possible fraudulent use of a telecommunications network involves applying rule-based criteria to generate a plurality of fraud alarms, each corresponding to an individual rule. Each alarm is associated with a particular customer, and for each individual customer a note is made of the total alarms generated by that customer and the grouping of individual alarm types generated. The customer's call is then determined to be fraudulent or otherwise based upon prior experience of past customers who have generated that particular profile of alarm grouping and total number of alarms. The system automatically outputs a list of potentially fraudulent customers, the accounts of which may either be further investigated or may automatically be inhibited.

Abstract: A trough for separately retaining different types of cables and/or wires yet maintaining related ones in the same area to facilitate identification and handling of the cables and/or wires. The trough comprises of a base and a pair of arms extending therefrom, enclosing a space for retaining a first type of cables and/or wires. Extending from the base into the space created by the arms is a retainer hook, dividing space into a sub-space for retaining a second type of cables and/or wires. One of the arms is pivotable from a closed to an open position to allow quick access to cables and/or wires in the space and sub-space.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a customer's telephone number when a switch from one service provider to a second provider is made interfaces with a regional customer number database to keep track of local numbers and the corresponding local service provider which services each number. Service providers interface with the database and obtain information at the telephone number level that permits individual providers to determine which carrier is providing service to which telephone number. A neutral third party maintains and administers the database allowing free access by any participating provider.

Abstract: A telecommunications network that handles call center calls by providing advanced interactive voice response (IVR) services using a next generation service node (NGSN). The NGSN nodes combine with several other interacting network components to provide a scaleable architecture which allows several different, customized and flexible call center services to be performed for telecommunications service provider customers. In addition the network includes virtual call routers, parking managers, host connect gateways, report servers, advanced network databases, data access points, and data gateways to deliver calls to customer call centers with various features enabled.

Abstract: A method apparatus for finding and assigning both commercially valuable and vanity (CSV) numbers in a telecommunications system that permits number portability. CSV Numbers are identified by a rules based process that combs the unused number database for valuable combination and saves those numbers in a special database. Those numbers that are not so identified stay in the unused database for general assignment. To assign a CSV number, a similar process is used to generate candidate numbers based on a desired keyword, and then the candidate numbers are used to query the special database and even the general unused number database to get available candidates. The available candidates are offered to the requesting user and the user may accept or decline.

Abstract: A system and method that provides control of a conference call. A controlling party enters a code and is isolated from the conference. Each conference participant is sequentially connected to the controlling party so that the controlling party may determine the noise level on that leg of the call. If there is no excess noise, then the controlling party may enter a code which causes the switch to select the next party on the conference call. When the controlling party discerns the offending conference participant, the controlling party can signal the switch to drop the offending party. The controlling party may then rejoin all of the conference participants.

Abstract: To establish a toll-free communication connection between a calling terminal (TE21) which is connected to a first communications network (KN1), and a called terminal, a connection request with a toll-free universal call number (IFN) is transmitted as a called number to the first communications network (KN1). In this case the toll-free universal call number (IFN) is provided by a service unit (SERV) of a second communications network (KN2). The first communications network (KN1) recognizes the connection request as one with a toll-free universal call number and an inquiry is then sent by the first communications network (KN1) to this service unit (SERV) of the second communications network (KN2). From the toll-free universal call number this service unit (SERV) then determines a toll-free local call number (LFN) of the first communications network (KN1), and returns same to the first communications network (KN1).

Abstract: A telephone networking system includes a database having executable programs which are equivalent to customer record programs used by a SCP. A switching device retrieves one of the executable programs from the database in response to data received by an input device, such as a telephone. The executable program is transmitted across the network to be executed by an edge device having the capability to store information and perform logical operations. For an 800/888 telephone call, the executable program instructs the edge device to request and gather additional information. The additional information is then used by the executable program to generate the POTS number which is transmitted to the switching device to complete the call.

Abstract: A subscriber (12) seeking to enter a conference call does so by dialing a non-directory conference call access telephone number maintained by a telephone carrier for conference call service. Upon receipt of the call within its network (14), the carrier identifies the subscriber, and thereafter determines from a record stored in a database (24) the identity of the conference call that the subscriber desires to enter. Knowing the identity of the conference call, the network (14) can then route the subscriber's call to the corresponding bridge (26) carrying the conference call. In this way, the subscriber seeking to enter a conference call need not know the particular conference bridge number or access code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switched telecommunication network with several exchanges (VStA, VStB, VStC, VStD,VStE) which are directly or indirectly interconnected such that at least between individual pairs of exchanges (VStA/VStE), more than two paths (VStA-VStB-VStE, VStA-VStC-VStE, VStA-VStD-VStE) are possible, and with at least one routing facility (ARU) which decides on the selection of the respective path to be used for each connection to be established and which does not select a path if it was blocked on the last attempt, the routing facility (ARU) being designed not to select a path if it is identical in sections (Mux-Mux) with a path which was blocked on the previous attempt, and to a method of establishing a switched connection in a switched telecommunication network, to an exchange, and to a routing facility therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the operation of a network with terminals (EG1, . . . , EGm) that can be connected to each other via transmission nodes (K1, . . . , Km) of the network, whereby, with the existence of a connection between two terminals, other terminals, accordingly authorized, can link into this connection. If one terminal (EG1) of the terminals (EG1 to EG6), sharing the connection, wants to maintain a connection with only one terminal (EG2) and wants to separate the other terminals (EG3 to EG5) from the connection, this terminal (EG1) sends out a corresponding request to all transmission nodes (K1, . . . , K5) that are part of the interlinking network, which is made up of the terminals (EG1 to EG6). After receipt of the request, each transmission node of the interlinking network sends back a corresponding confirmation to the transmission node from which it received the request.

Abstract: A teleconference recording and marking system for use by a plurality of teleconference participants includes a plurality of telephones with each having a mechanism for transmitting a voice signal and a marking signal. A mechanism is provided for establishing a communications link between the telephones. Another mechanism is used for recording the audible voice signals and marking signals transmitted from the telephones in a digital data stream. Also included is a mechanism for determining a plurality of time offsets with each time offset measured from a known location in the data stream to each marking signal. A storage mechanism is included for storing the data stream and time offsets. Lastly, a player mechanism is provided for playing the data stream starting at any one of the time offsets. The system combines the use of telecommunication and computer networks in order to allow teleconferences to be recorded and marked and later retrieved and played.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accepting a call by an automatic call distributor from a public switch telephone network. The method includes the steps of determining an average call wait time between arrival of the call on a trunk line of the automatic call distributor from the public switched telephone network and delivery of the call to a selected agent and delaying acceptance of a call detected on the trunk line from the public switch telephone network by a predetermined time period less than the average call wait time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically establishing an audio conference call where one of a number of audio conference call service providers must be selected. With this invention a resource broker receives requests from a number of users desiring to establish an audio conference call. Profile data on a number of conference call service providers is maintained by the resource broker. Based on the profile data and the requests from the users, one of the audio conference call service providers is selected, and the selected audio conference service provider then establishes an audio conference call in accordance with the request from the users.

Abstract: An intelligent method is disclosed for handling call redirection to an external service provider (ESP) for subsequent call processing. In one embodiment, a network database (30) is queried to determine whether the calling party station (5) has pre-selected an ESP for subsequent call processing. In the event that the calling party station has pre-selected an ESP, the call is automatically redirected to the pre-selected ESP; no caller input is required. If, however, the calling party station has not pre-selected an ESP, an announcement is played to the calling party offering a menu of available ESPs. To accept the offer, the caller must explicitly respond to the offer using, e.g., DTMF signaling. The call is then redirected on a per-call basis in accordance with the calling party's selection.

Abstract: A portable telephone or cell phone holder fits in a conventional cup holder of an automobile or other vehicle. It has an arcuate sidewall that is less than 360° and is resiliently deformable to be squeezed sown to less than the diameter of the cup holder and then, when released, to grip the inside surface of the cup holder. A tongue extends upwardly and radially inwardly from the sidewall to a distal end to provide a support telephone platform and has a concave slanted surface to accommodate and center a telephone belt clip.

Abstract: A method for handling congestion in a communication network, known as a focussed mass calling event (MCE), occurring when the rate of calls to any given terminating number increases dramatically resulting in a large number of incomplete calls directed towards that number, known as ineffective attempts. Switches in the network operate under control of a network processor and ineffective attempts are logged and monitored by the switches. If the number of ineffective attempts on a switch for a particular terminating number exceeds a threshold in a given sampling interval, an MCE is detected on the switch and reported to the network processor along with the terminating number. The network processor responds by periodically broadcasting a gap control message to all the switches of the network identifying the congested terminating number and a gap time. The switches respond to the gap control message by placing a guard-time between calls to the particular terminating number based on the gap time.

Abstract: A panel for mounting telecommunications equipment has an insulating body and a grounding strip to provide ground connection to the telecommunications equipment. The grounding strip has a panel portion for mounting the grounding strip to the insulating body and a mounting portion bending away from the insulating body and having one or more mounting holes for mounting the panel to external structure to enable the panel to be mounted to the external structure without requiring spacers to prevent overstress to the insulating material. In one implementation, the panel is a protector panel for receiving five-pin plug-in protectors that provide electrical isolation between multi-wire cabling and telephones and other types of telecommunications equipment.