Abstract: A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a local call from a payphone by a customer through long distance carrier switches. The payphone customer dials a long distance provider primary intralata carrier (PIC) code followed by a number sequence. The local call is routed to a long distance provider switch using the long distance provider PIC code. The payphone call is then routed to a voice response unit (VRU) using the number sequence. The VRU prompts the payphone customer to select local calling from the VRU menu, enter a destination number, and to enter their long distance calling card information. The system then verifies that the customer's calling card account is active and connects the call.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for connecting a customer representative to a customer switch within a telecommunications network having a plurality of switch domains, each switch domain including a plurality of switches each having a corresponding switch name. At least one of the switches is a gateway switch. The method includes receiving a switch name corresponding to a selected customer switch and displaying a listing of switches residing within a first one of the switch domains. A determination is then made on whether the received switch resides in a first switch domain. A list of gateway switches residing within the selected switch domain is also provided. And from this list a gateway switch is selected in accordance with its availability. A connection is thereafter made via the gateway switch to the received switch. If the received switch is determined not to be resident in the displayed switch listing, a further listing of switches of another switch domain is displayed.

Abstract: A method for communicating and scheduling maintenance requests, utilizing a program storage device readable by a server machine, which includes the steps of providing a maintenance request form having fields where information about a maintenance request can be set forth, e.g.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for communicating to or querying telecommunication switches in a telecommunications network first gathers relevant information from a technician. Such information can include user IDs, passwords, switch identification codes, and required commands. The routine then automatically establishes communication links with appropriate servers and identified switches within the network using previously supplied IDs and passwords. Thereafter, commands are presented to such switches and results reported to the technician. Numerous switches may thereby be rapidly accessed and queried by the technician.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely testing a communication network provides dynamic internet access to remote test systems. Internet (TCP/IP) connections are established between remote network terminal elements. An internet connection processor is coupled between remote end-user terminals and remote test systems or units. A remote user connects to the internet connection processor through an internet data link between the remote user terminal and the internet connection processor. Once a remote user is validated and logged in, the user is provided with a display of available remote test system sites supported by the internet connection processor. The user selects a remote test site and an appropriate format in which connectivity is desired. The internet connection processor translates the remote site selection input to a corresponding internet address based on pre-loaded cross-reference data file.

Abstract: A remote test site is connected to a maintenance port of a long distance carrier switch. The remote test site is capable of placing calls through the maintenance port of the long distance carrier switch, testing from the switch forward to the called party for any trouble occurring in the elected call path. A test site terminal connected via an X.25 network, permits remote access to the test site. Segments of a calling path are identified via the test site terminal to the remote test site. Calls are placed through various long distance carrier switches involved in a call path to isolate the trouble occurring in a path reported by a dissatisfied customer. Calls may be placed through selected output ports of each switch identifying to the maintenance port of the switch the output port number and the destination digits for the call.