Abstract: The present invention provides a method that may be used for billing for quality of service applications. The method includes determining at least one parameter indicative of resource usage of at least one first quality of service application by comparing at least one resource used by the first quality of service application(s) to at least one resource used by a second quality of service application. The method also includes providing information indicative of at least one cost associated with the first quality of service application(s) based on the comparison and at least one cost associated with the second quality of service application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that may be used for billing for quality of service applications. The method includes determining at least one parameter indicative of resource usage of at least one first quality of service application by comparing at least one resource used by the first quality of service application(s) to at least one resource used by a second quality of service application. The method also includes providing information indicative of at least one cost associated with the first quality of service application(s) based on the comparison and at least one cost associated with the second quality of service application.

Abstract: A method that uses a test system at one end of a communication link to test the communication link for high speed service by coupling the test system to the communication link, placing a telephonic call to telephonic equipment located at an other end of the communication link and testing the communication link with the test system after the call has been terminated at the telephonic equipment.

Abstract: The system of the invention has particular application to a wide area network (WAN) where call routing information often changes in one local area network (LAN) (e.g. a switching system) while other LANs (e.g. cellular communication systems) are unaware of the changes. Because of the heavy flow of traffic in such networks, the minimization of administrative traffic data is desirable. The invention solves the need for constant updating and auditing of the LANs in the WAN. One LAN is considered the master LAN for a given parameter and contains an accurate directory of administrative data for that parameter. Each of the other LANs operate on the assumption that the administrative or directory information it contains is correct.

Abstract: A distributed control switching system where multi-port hunt groups are controlled by hunting for idle group members in a sequential fashion starting with the members on one of the switching modules of the system and continuing through a predetermined sequence of modules until an idle group member is found. The busy/idle hunt data is distributed across the modules so that each module maintains the hunt data for only the group members on that module. Therefore, no inter-module control communication is devoted to updating the hunt data of other modules.

Abstract: A distributed control switching system where the system control units cooperatively perform the terminating port determination function. The control unit associated with the terminating port stores sequence call data defining whether calls are to be completed to that terminating port or are to be forwarded to another directory number. Upon determining that a given call is a sequence call, the control unit associated with the original terminating port determines the terminating port defined by the second directory number and effects a reduction of the sequence call to a simple call between the originating port and the second terminating port. This is done either by transmitting a control message defining the originating and terminating ports to the control unit associated with the second terminating port or by returning the setup sequence to the control unit associated with the originating port which then frees any switching system resources previously allocated to the call and transmits the control message.

Abstract: A telecommunication system including a rotary dial subscriber set for transmitting sequences of dial pulses to a telephone central office over at least two conductors is disclosed. In response to a first set of dialed digits, the central office establishes a DC conductive path between the subscriber set and a DC blocking trunk circuit. A central office scan arrangement is connected to the communication path to determine the conduction state between the conductors of the communication path in order to maintain or remove the communication path. The system also includes a dial pulse detector which detects and counts dial pulses in each sequence of dial pulses transmitted from the subscriber set. In response to the first dial pulse of each sequence, the dial pulse detector generates signals which are utilized to inhibit the central office scanner from detecting further dial pulses.