Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the utility of speech recognition is described. The method involves capturing a spoken word, passing the spoken word to a speech recognition algorithm, receiving at least one text representation of the spoken word from the speech recognition algorithm, and passing a text representation of the spoken word to a display telephone to permit the user to select the correct representation of the voice response. The apparatus is an access server which communicates with a display telephone, a speech recognition algorithm which responds to queries from the access server and one or more databases which likewise respond to queries from the access server. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in automating such functions as telephone directory services using display telephones.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for dynamically routing selected calls through an intelligent switched telephone network are described. The method leverages the resident switching power in the Public Switched Telephone Network by departing from the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) call model while adhering to the basic principles of ISUP common channel signaling to introduce new flexibility in call routing. Using the method, calls can be efficiently routed and rerouted through the network. Control of a call can be effected by either the called party or the calling party. The method can be practised using either a virtual switching point (VSP) or an ISTP. The VSP is a physical mode in the signaling plane of the network and a virtual node in the switching plane. Calls are routed to the VSP using dedicated trunk groups which may be loop-back ISUP trunks or inter-switch ISUP trunks. Calls are routed to the dedicated trunk groups using standard routing translation tables and methods.

Abstract: A method and a system for completing a voice connection between a first and second voice terminal in a switched telephone network (STN) are disclosed. The system includes a Virtual Switching Point (VSP) in a switched telephone network having a connection to a data network such as the Internet. Call requests are received by the VSP from the data network and processed by the VSP to establish a voice connection between a calling party which initiates the call requests and a called party number indicated in each call request message. The call request message may include a plurality of called party numbers and the VSP completes calls to each number in sequence without terminating the voice connection with the calling party, until an attempt to connect with each of the called numbers has been made or a call control option is exercised by the calling party. The call connections are established and controlled by the VSP using common channel signaling (CCS) messages.