Abstract: A tone detector for detecting a multi-tone input signal in the presence of speech and noise, comprising first signal processors that generate output signals indicating the energy level of the input signal with the frequency of one of the component tones being amplified and the frequencies of all other of the component tones being attenuated, a last signal processor that generates an output signal indicating the energy level multiplied by negative one of the input signal with the frequencies of all component tones being attenuated, summing junctions that generate output signals indicating the energy levels of the sum of one of the first signal processor output signals and the last signal processor output signal, and tone validation logic receiving the summing junction output signals that generates a tone detect signal when the summing junction output signals indicate that the component tones satisfy a signaling standard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a telephone call from a calling party preferably via a telephone exchange, which telephone call is placed to a called party apparatus. The receiving apparatus, on the basis of predetermined selection criteria, delivers predetermined messages to the calling party; screens the telephone call from the calling party; or re-routes the telephone call from the calling party. The receiving apparatus includes an interaction arrangement for receiving the telephone call, for obtaining identification information relating to the calling party, and for transferring the identification information to a processor.

Abstract: The routing of calls from one network (100) to another network (170) may be accomplished by tracking the call completion history over each trunk group (174.sub.1 -174.sub.2) connecting the networks. From a knowledge of the call completion history for each route, a Completion Rate Factor (CRF), representing the ratio of completed calls to all calls attempted is computed. The route having the CRF representing the highest number of completions is then selected. Typically, the process is dynamic, so that if the selected route no longer has the highest number of completions, then the route previously found to have the highest number of call completions is selected. The concept of completion rate factor routing can be extended to multiple carriers to yield a carrier completion rate feature routing technique. Routing may also be completed in accordance with network congestion to route advance a call.

Abstract: An agent station for a call-in center has a telephone for an agent's use connected by a communication link with a computer workstation including a video display unit (VDU) adapted for monitoring origination information for calls received on the telephone. In a preferred embodiment the computer workstation is connected on a local area network (LAN) to a processor running and instance of a telephony server (T-Server) application having access to a database storing data pertaining to callers, and the computer workstation reports call-origination data to the T-Server, which uses the data to correlate data to be retrieved from the database and displayed on the VDU.

Abstract: A call servicing system permits agents to service customer calls dialed with a local telephone number. The system includes a network call center that connects a plurality of agent switches to a plurality of customer switches. The agent switches direct calls to and from service agents, and the customer switches direct calls to and from customers. The system further includes a database connected to at least one of the customer switches. The database stores forwarding information corresponding to local telephone numbers dialed by the customers. When a customer switch receives a call requesting service from one of the customers dialing a local telephone number, the switch queries the database, using the local telephone number, to retrieve forwarding information corresponding to the local telephone number, and routes the call to the network call center using the forwarding information. The network call center queues the call, and transmits it to one of the service agents via one of the agent switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing telphone calls that enables a caller to specify priority criteria relating to the calls and a recipient to specify priority criteria relating to the treatment of the calls.

Abstract: An automated and distributed method and apparatus for normalizing a network after restoration begins with end nodes of the restoral route detecting a clearing of alarms after a failure is repaired. After a specified time period is passed, the end nodes perform a sequence of tasks to execute a modified form of a patch-and-roll normalization. Each end node transmits traffic over both the restoral route and the original traffic route that has been fixed. Each end node confirms receipt of signals over the fixed traffic route. Thereafter, each end node switches to receiving live traffic from the restoral route to the fixed traffic route and stops transmitting over the restoral route. Finally, the end nodes instruct the other nodes along the restoral route to disconnect the restoral route.

Abstract: Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

Abstract: A method for use in an environment having a service provider, a subscribed terminal, and a remote terminal, for activating a service for the subscribed terminal. The method processes an order from a terminal and processes an authorization request from a terminal. However, the service order is activated only upon an authorization request from the subscribed terminal. The subscribed terminal may be a telephone in which case a caller ID value provided by a central office switch serving the requesting terminal is used to determine whether a requesting telephone is the subscribed telephone.

Abstract: A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties based on past calling patterns is characterized by the steps of monitoring telephone calls made over a period of time; identifying calling patterns based on the telephone calls; and placing a telephone call based on the calling patterns. The method thus learns and anticipates telephone calls based on monitoring the calling party's calling patterns over a given time period.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes digital main switching units and local exchanges. The local exchange is arranged to permit alternative alert signals to consumer premises by way of the local loop. The alternative signals may be cadenced to provide information to apparatus connected in a consumer's premises without causing activation of traditional telephone, facsimile or answering machines. Such information may be supplemented by the presence or absence of a line polarity reversal before the activation signal is sent and by modulated signals, such as FSK signalling.

Abstract: A method for controlling and processing a call from one keyphone to a busy keyphone utilizing a keyphone main unit connected to an office line and a plurality of keyphones in a keyphone system, the busy keyphone being connected to a third keyphone, wherein the keyphone main unit receives an input sequence of dialed numbers from the one keyphone; determines when the input sequence is complete; transmits a first display signal to the busy keyphone to cause the busy keyphone to display a message indicating an incoming call from the one keyphone; determines whether the busy keyphone is in a forced off-hook ring mode; transmits a busy tone to the one keyphone when it is determined that the busy keyphone is not in the forced off-hook ring mode; checks for an input signal from an off-hook ring button on the one keyphone; transmits an off-hook ring signal to the busy keyphone when it is determined that the busy keyphone is in the forced off-hook ring mode or when it is determined that the off-hook ring button on the

Abstract: A call defeat device to prevent calling unauthorized numbers, such as long distance, 1-900 etc., which is adapted to prevent a caller from successfully dialing one or more predetermined digit strings on a touch tone telephone connected to a given telephone line by apparatus including a touch tone decoder coupled to the telephone line and a microprocessor/memory for storing and issuing predetermined unauthorized digit strings, if dialed on the telephone, designates that the call is to be defeated. A comparator compares each digit string dialed on the telephone to the predetermined digit strings, and, if a match is sensed, a dialer sends onto the telephone line at least one DTMF digit, such as a "#", which will defeat the call in progress.

Abstract: A user-authentication system includes an authorized user device (AUD) for transmission of dtmf tones to a user-verification system (UVS) over a telephone network, where user-verification is performed and authorized users are granted access to a desired service. In a memory module of the AUD, a plurality of passphrases and identifying data are stored for subsequent transmission to the UVS. The compensating system comprises a pair of tone devices that generate low frequency tones and high frequency tones, respective that are amplified to different amplification levels. The amplification levels compensate for the low and high frequency tone transmission characteristics associated with different microphones in use in a public telephone system. The systems further performs channel normalization with the user-activated AUD and the UVS. Tone signals representative of the access telephone number transmitted by the AUD to reach the UVS, have a reference amplitude of zero.

Abstract: A partitioned communication system includes a shared switch network system in communication with an Intelligent Network Processor (INP). A terminating intelligent communication device (ICD) located outside the management and control of the shared network operates as an Originating Communication System (OCS) to negotiate 2-way call holding with a Called Communication System (CCS).

Abstract: The present apparatus is a device interposed between a phone set and a telephone jack. It is secured by a lock and hasp to a post or frame member so that it overshadows and prevents access to a conventional telephone jack and the wall plate surrounding the jack. When locked in place, and connected serially between the phone set and the telephone line, it includes the user to input a PIN number, and to thereby make calls to specified telephone numbers (one or more). A field in memory stores unique PIN numbers for the users and calls numbers, and keeps track of available time not yet used by the N users. By decrementing with each call, the elapsed total time can be tracked. Charges can be controlled by limiting the authorized telephone numbers.

Abstract: A point-of-presence (POP) call center system capable of answering, servicing, queuing and routing of calls at local points of presence to reduce communications costs and enhance operational efficiency for toll-free inbound call centers. The POP call center system includes a set of point-of-presence call center gateways distributed at points of presence close to the point of call origination that are connected by a virtual private network to premises call center gateways at business locations where the call centers reside.

Abstract: A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating the flow of calls in a communications network. At least one calling area is assigned to each call response center of each service provider. Call regulating functionality is provided in communication with each call response center of each service provider and includes a set of parameters assigned to each calling area served by the call response center as well as a corresponding call regulating algorithm for the assigned calling areas. The call regulating functionality is operative to detect a call from a calling party to a service provider, determine the assigned calling area of the calling party for that service provider, determine the call response center and determine the current values of the assigned parameters for the calling areas assigned to the call response center.

Abstract: Transferring administration information from a switching system to a computer telephony integration (CTI) terminal via a standard telecommunication link by the CTI terminal executing a feature on the switching system. Advantageously, the information is transferred from the switching system to the CTI terminal utilizing standard display messages as would be displayed on a voice terminal having a display unit. Further, the user of the CTI terminal can request only subsets of the system administration information. Using a voice terminal having a display unit, the user can access individual segments of the administration information.