Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a metadata driven framework for operations support systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method provides a hierarchical schema for a product. For example, a metadata for each element in the hierarchical structure, and a metalanguage for controlling tasks such as data collection, data orchestration, validation, field rendering, etc. are then created. In one embodiment, the method then provides framework aware engines for compiling the metadata and metalanguage into runtime forms. For each service or product to be provided, the product or service specific behavior and the operations support systems that are impacted are identified. The framework aware engine then compiles the metadata at runtime to generate at least one update for at least one operations support function.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to control network element management traffic are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to process an element management system (EMS) query message includes a receiver to receive the EMS query message from a managed network element, the EMS query message being redirected from an EMS server, a responder to select a pre-determined response to the EMS query message and discard EMS information contained in the EMS query message, wherein the pre-determined response is to delay the managed network element from resending the EMS query message to the EMS server for a time period, and a transmitter to send the pre-determined response to the managed network element.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to control network element management traffic are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to process an element management system (EMS) query message includes a receiver to receive the EMS query message from a managed network element, the EMS query message being redirected from an EMS server, a responder to select a pre-determined response to the EMS query message and discard EMS information contained in the EMS query message, wherein the pre-determined response is to delay the managed network element from resending the EMS query message to the EMS server for a time period, and a transmitter to send the pre-determined response to the managed network element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing VoIP service providers to detect service address changes of IP service subscribers are disclosed. Specifically, when a power cycle, e.g., powering off and on, of a particular VoIP endpoint device, such as a Terminal Adaptor (TA) or a soft phone client, is detected, a service provider may assume that the service address of the subscriber has changed. Therefore, appropriate actions can be taken by the service provider to obtain the latest service address from the subscriber to ensure accurate service address information is available, e.g., in support of an emergency call through the particular VoIP endpoint device.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network access device having a network address associated with an extra-regional service provider with a new network address associated with a regional access network provider, where the network access device is connected to a regional access network connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks. The method includes receiving a request from the network access device requesting the release of access to the extra-regional service network, sending a response from the regional access network, and receiving a network address change request using a configuration protocol. In another aspect of the invention, the network address associated with an extra-regional service provider is automatically released when a regional access network server fails to receive a request to renew the network address lease, and a new network address associated with the regional access network is assigned to the network access device.

Abstract: An improvement in providing simultaneous voice and data communication is achieved by provisioning within the public switched telephone network one or more simultaneous voice/data (SVD) modems that a) can communicate with SVD modems of the network users over a single "plain old telephone service" (POTS) connection, and b) can separate, and deliver to different destinations the voice and data channels received from an SVD modem. The SVD modems in the network can also combine voice and data traffic from separate sources for transmission together over a single POTS connection to a user's SVD modem. In one embodiment of the invention, an SVD modem pool is provided by an inter-exchange carrier. The voice and data channels of an SVD call are separated at the network side of the SVD modem pool, so that they may be routed to different destinations.

Abstract: A facility is provided in a telecommunications network so that a record containing details about an associated call may be delivered to a customer in real time during the progression of the call and/or immediately after the call has been terminated.

Abstract: In an environment in which simultaneous voice/data (SVD) modems are provisioned in the public switched network for separating and separately routing voice and data calls from users having SVD modems, at least one user who is already employing a first connection through an SVD modem provisioned in the public switched network, for interacting with a remote destination over one of the two channels provided by an SVD modem, may have a second connection, over the second of the two channels provided by an SVD modem, automatically established for him. The second connection may be established in response to a request by one of the users. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the data channels supplied from each SVD modem of each of said users are routed to a common data application, e.g., a game, and a direct connection is established between the voice channels of the SVD modems in response to a command from the data application in response to the request of one of the users.

Abstract: A subscriber-defined call processing program designed for execution in a communications network is subjected to testing procedures which simulate a call processing environment involving the execution of the program. The testing procedures assess the program's fitness for execution in a communications network and compute threshold values of network resource consumption by calls invoking execution of the program so that those calls can be terminated when those threshold values are exceeded in the course of processing those calls in the communications network.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for queuing calls to a multilocation service provider having a plurality of automatic call distributors (ACDs). If all circuits to the ACDs are unavailable, a call is queued in one of a plurality of queues. One or more of these queues will allow call completion to any ACD of the service provider as soon as an agent of that ACD becomes available. Advantageously, the average waiting time for customers to that service provider is reduced, thereby improving service. In accordance with one feature of the system, the caller can select one of a plurality of choices of music on hold as offered by the service provider.