Abstract: A system and computer program product for testing the validity of coupon codes. Coupon codes can be automatically tested, instead of manually testing them, by having a program select one or more products on a merchant's website and then add them to the shopping cart on the merchant's website. Upon entering the checkout stage on the merchant's website, the program can submit the coupon code to be tested at the checkout stage. The validity of the coupon code is determined based on the status of the coupon code (e.g., expired, approved advertised benefit) returned by the merchant's website. By having a program automatically test coupon codes instead of having a user manually test each coupon code, the validity of coupons code can be more accurately determined in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: A service switching point counts the number of pending queries sent to a service control point and awaiting a response. When the counted number reaches a threshold, further call attempts are rejected. This prevents the load on the service control point from becoming excessive.

Abstract: A method of validating a procedure allows several processes to be involved in the validation of a single event. The method involves defining relationships between FSMs which describe the entities, selecting the processes which fulfill certain criteria, and processing the event in all of the selected processes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for handling telephone calls, which allows a control point to determine whether a part of a query, received from a switching point, would be better handled by a second control point. In response to such a determination, the control point returns a specific instruction to the switching point, directing it to send a query to the second control point.

Abstract: A service control point for a mobile telecommunication network is disclosed. In contrast to traditional networks employing a home location register and a service control function, in which traditionally home registration functions reside in the home register entity and intelligent network service functions reside in the service control functional entity, the present invention at least somewhat consolidates these entities and divides their functional activities in accordance with the efficiencies provided by flexible logic structures versus fixed logic structures.

Abstract: A user interaction procedure in an Intelligent Networks system may include several stages, such as playing an announcement to a user, and receiving digits entered by the user. The switching point returns messages to the control point at intermediate stages during the procedure.