Abstract: A telecommunications system comprises a plurality of subscriber and/or junction terminals connected to a local exchanges the local exchange having an Intelligent Network message terminal, a Service Router addressable from the local exchange via the message terminal and a Signal Transfer Point. The local exchange is able to identify an intelligent Network service request from an originating one of the plurality of subscriber and/or junction terminals and to address and transmit a message via the message terminal to the Service Router via the Signal Transfer Point. The message is readdressed and transmitted to an appropriate Intelligent Network Service Delivery Point and upon receipt of the message by the Service Delivery Point a connection between the Service Delivery Point and the originating one of the plurality of subscriber and/or junction terminals is initiated by the Service Delivery Point.

Abstract: An improved caller identity on call waiting unit permits caller identification signals to be received without changing the direct current state of a customer telephone station. This is accomplished by using a capacitor/inductor circuit with appropriate bypass to accomplish the function of blocking voice band signals to and from the station. Advantageously, such an arrangement avoids the problem of falsely disconnecting calls on hold.

Abstract: A one number, multi-application, intelligent call processing system provides service benefits to a caller, a servicing location and/or a vanity number advertiser during a call, parallel to the call and/or post call in an integrated common architecture. To provide these benefits, the system utilizes Voice Response Unit (VRU) technology in conjunction with the national telecommunications network connected via Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) to a virtual telephone number database containing a nation-wide master list of telephone numbers with thousands of attribute data items associated by Spatial Key linkage to each telephone number. The process of the invention is initiated by a caller dialing a selected telephone number to request information and/or services. Based on the number dialed, a caller or network provided 10 digit telephone number and VRU prompted for and received caller input, the system retrieves the application requested data from the virtual telephone number database.

Abstract: Virtual dedicated access of telecommunication subscribers (12, 14 and 16) to an inter-exchange carrier (IXC) (20) is provided by way of an intelligent local End Office switch (180) that routes calls either to the IXC or to a local End Office switch (18). The intelligent local End Office switch (180) advantageously serves to perform inter-exchange processing of calls, as required, for calls that originate with, or terminate at, a customer rather than automatically route calls to the IXC for such inter-exchange processing, as was previously required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for identifying a call record of a telephone call to be overflowed from a source automatic call distributor to a destination automatic call distributor. The call record is of a type having been previously stored under a call identifier of the source automatic call distributor in a memory of the host computer serving both the source automatic call distributor and destination automatic call distributor in an area of the memory reserved for the source automatic call distributor. The method includes the step of storing a call action provided message in a call overflow table of the host computer including the call identifier of the telephone call and an identifier of the source automatic call distributor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sequence of calls directed to different destination sites from a single calling site via a provider having a connection-based tariff structure that employs first and second levels of connections in order to increase cost efficiency. The first level connection is from the provider to an intermediate site, such as a server, with the first level connection being maintained throughout the sequence of calls. The second level connection is formed from the intermediate site to the destination sites in the sequential order determined by the calling party. Each call to a destination site includes a different second level connection that is terminated from a completion of the call, without affecting the first level connection. The call information relating to the different calls in the sequence is transmitted from the calling site to the intermediate site by techniques such as the transmission of DTMF signals or conventional digital call setup signals.

Abstract: A local exchange carrier can provide operator service for a telephone call, whether intra-LATA or not, and in some cases to perform the service so that the call can be passed with the service already provided. Operator services for calls that require prior approval at a subscriber station for completion and those that do not (e.g., collect calls vs. credit card calls) are differentiated. If, for a particular call, it is determined that the required operator service does not require prior approval for the call being placed, then the operator service is provided from the end-office without routing the call to an operator services platform. The call may be serviced using an advanced intelligent network (AIN) system. If the required operator service does require prior approval, however, it is ultimately routed to an operator services platform of the local exchange carrier or interexchange carrier for provision of the service.

Abstract: Allowing an agent to customize their CTI terminal with respect to a variety of terminal attributes such as those associated with previous phone activity, configuration information such as color, and graphical statistical representation of ACD center information. The telecommunication agent is able to store information defining this customization and to retrieve it at another CTI terminal at a later point in time. The storage of the customization information is performed as a file on a file server common to all CTI terminals. The result is that no software must be custom written for the file server in order to allow the saving of customized information. In addition, the programs controlling the CTI terminals are independent of the communication protocol that is utilized between the CTI terminals and the file server. A second embodiment of the invention allows the administrator of a call center to specify that each group of agents will utilize the same customization information.

Abstract: A method of and system for routing switched termination telephone calls in accordance with international routing requirements and with consideration of available network capacity. A call is received at a switch of an international carrier. The switch sends a query identifying the first country as the country of origin for the call and the second country as the country of termination for the call to a service control point of the international carrier. The service control point determines from the query that the call is an international call and sends a request for a routing translation to a regulatory routing platform of the international carrier. The regulatory routing platform determines an optimal route for the call in accordance with international regulatory routing requirements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which brings together a combination of special IN features and techniques to allow Centrex stations supported by a plurality of central office switching systems, each at different locations, to function from the customer's perspective as though they were served by a single central office switch. The key to Virtual Wide Area Centrex is a total separation of the telephone numbers seen and used by customers (Customer Number Address--CNA) from the telephone numbers used internally by the network for call routing purposes (Network Node Address--NNA), such that there are two separate and distinct numbering plan domains. A central database, interconnected with each of the Centrex switches, maintains the mapping between CNA and NNA. This database is called upon, as required, to do both forward and reverse translations--i.e., from CNAs to NNA and vice-versa. The net result is that CNAs identify people (e.g., a customer's specific employees and agents) whereas NNAs identify locations (e.g.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a software defined network (SDN) call initiated by a network adjunct platform (NAP) over a Small Scale Adjunct Primary Rate Interface (SSA PRI) in a telecommunications network on a call-by-call basis is disclosed. An SDN subscriber triggers the NAP to initiate the SDN call. The NAP forwards set-up data to an originating toll switch programmed to accept the set-up data from the NAP. After receipt of the set-up data, the originating toll switch determines if the forwarded set-up data classifies the call as an SDN call. If the forwarded set-up data contains SDN parameters, the originating toll switch processes and routes the call initiated by the NAP as an SDN call. The originating toll switch is also able to process and route non-SDN calls utilizing the same SSA PRI used for SDN calls. The need for separate dedicated trunk groups for SDN subscribers is alleviated.

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 unified system of programing communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a service activation controller and a service management system allows a remote system to generate, update and delete call processing records and to create, update and delete tables. A provisioning message with one or more requests is sent to the service management system to process each request in the message, which identifies a unique logic template and one or more data templates and includes customized call variables data for inserting into a service record created from the template or updating an already created record. The resulting service record is activated by inputting the request to an integrated service point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a calling subscriber, who sent a call request including an address in an attempt to place a call to a called subscriber, to untrap an unsuccessful call due to the called subscriber being busy or unreachable. In a first procedure, before completion of the call is attempted, it is determined from the address included in the call request whether the network to which the call is directed is one which traps calls. If so, the calling subscriber is informed on how to untrap the call should the call be unsuccessful. In a second procedure, a determination is made as to whether a call is unsuccessful, if the time period between receiving an Address Complete Message (ACM) and an Answer Message (ANM) from a network that traps calls is less than a very short predetermined threshold (e.g., 0.5 seconds), indicating that the call could not have been answered by a human subscriber.

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 communication switching system, composed of a performance characteristics system (LMS) and a base switching system (BVS), whereby the base switching system (BVS) has a basic call controller (BRS) for controlling a 2-party call composed of two connections communicating via messages with respectively allocated automatic status units, a database (DB) containing call objects (RO) and a plurality of performance characteristics control modules (LM-SB) available in exchange in the form of callable functions for the optional influencing of the call objects. Both the basic call controller (BRS) as well as the performance characteristics control modules (LM-SB) can access the database (DB).

Abstract: A technique for minimizing the number of users which must dial training digits in a voice processing system. The system uses the first digit normally dialed as part of the user responses to the voice processing application, and measures such digit to determine whether it and future digits can be detected accurately without the use of a training digit. If they can, no training digit is required. If they can't, then a training digit is required, and the user is prompted for the same.

Abstract: A signal transfer point distributes a plurality of messages to a plurality of service control points in accordance with a distribution plan. The distribution plan includes each of the service control points. Each of the plurality of messages from the signal transfer point is distributed to a corresponding one of the plurality of service control points in accordance with the distribution plan.

Abstract: Acoustic dialers are widely used to dial telephone numbers by generating a pair of DTMF tones for each key being depressed. Non-linearities in telephone systems, acoustic dialer loudspeakers, and telephone microphones may cause interfering tones to be produced due to mixing of generated DTMF tones. These interfering tones are especially problematic when they are near the frequencies of the DTMF tones and have similar amplitudes. When these interfering tones are received by a receiver decoder, the decoder may be unable to distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones, and consequently the decoder may reject the DTMF tones received. The present invention prevents these types of rejections by generating a supplemental tone in addition to the normal DTMF tones. This supplemental tone attenuates the interfering tones so that receiver decoders can distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones.