Abstract: Monitored calls are intercepted and rerouted to a changed location number of a called party while appearing to be at the same directory number by intervention of an IP Address Mapping check Point (IP-AMCP) which duplicates the voice to a monitoring location, automatically identifies the types of networks to be traversed to the new location and adapts the duplicated voice message to traverse such network types. Surveillance is enabled to be conducted at more than one monitoring location each of which many are widely separated from the other.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides a redundant path for providing service using existing or original equipment when failure or degradation of performance of new equipment is detected in a communication network. A controller module monitors the performance of new equipment used to provide improved services to service provider customers. When a failure in the new equipment is detected, the controller module outputs a control signal to switch processing from the new equipment to the existing equipment that is still available for use. In addition, processing may be switched from the new equipment to the existing equipment when the controller detects degradation in the performance of the new equipment so that loss of service is prevented. Therefore, the existing equipment acts as a redundant path for processing.

Abstract: Monitored calls are intercepted and rerouted to plural selected monitoring stations by intervention of an IP phone monitor center (IPMC) which duplicates the voice to a monitoring location and automatically identifying the types of networks to be traversed and adapting the voice message to such a network type to communication with monitoring stations connected to these networks. Surveillance is, therefor, enabled to be conducted at more than one monitoring location each of which many are widely separated from the other. In a particular embodiment an authorized surveillance agent transmits a valid request to an IP phone monitor center (IPMC) which in response intercepts voice packets to and from the targeted IP phone. The duplicated voice packets are transmitted to the designated monitoring location. The IPMC determines the type of voice signal to be transmitted to the terminal monitoring station.

Abstract: A cellular/wireless foreign subscriber is enabled to use her/his own cellular/wireless telephone instrument in a local cellular/wireless (C/W) network/system by entry of a code and a PIN into the local network/system desired to be used. The local C/W network/system algorithmically responds to the code and PIN by changing characteristics of the radio equipment of the local C/W network/system to accommodate operation of the subscriber's cellular/wireless telephone instrument with the network/system desired to be used.

Abstract: A monitoring network is able to provide surveillance of IP phone calls, which span plural backbone networks, which may embody different transmission techniques. An agent connected through a monitor center to one backbone network enters a request for surveillance (i.e. wiretapping) of a particular network connected to another backbone network. A WatchDog program is associated with each backbone network. These WatchDogs all communicate with other watchdogs associated with other backbone networks. All these watchdogs interact with one another to set up the surveillance connections. The watchdog of the requester's backbone network receives the surveillance request and flows/transmits the request to a watchdog function of the terminating backbone network of the specific caller to be monitored establishing a point-to-point connection, through as many backbone networks as needed.

Abstract: Secure monitoring of a target IP telephone may be obtained simultaneously at a plurality of monitoring stations by requiring authentication to be provided by each of the monitoring stations prior to granting access permission to monitor the call. A single request generates multiple duplicate calls to a plurality of different monitoring location, each of which must be authenticated. When the monitored call arrives at each of the multiple monitoring stations a password is used to achieve authentication permission. The password is entered at each monitoring station by a touchtone keypad that generates Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) signals (e.g., each signal is a combination of two tones at different frequencies) which is sent to an IP monitoring center, which grants surveillance permission.

Abstract: A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment.

Abstract: A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment.

Abstract: A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.

Abstract: A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment.

Abstract: Surveillance of IP voice calls over a public communication IP link is achieved by a WatchDog program, associated with an IP Address Mapping Check Point translating IP phone numbers into IP addresses, that are connected to a head end hub connected in turn to a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) link of IP phone users or to a backbone network carrying IP voice packets.

Abstract: A chase me method of routing a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal over alternative networks including a circuit switched network and a packet network permits changing routing parameters remotely in response to user inputs including user requested changes in chasing parameters. A chase me system permits setting a chase me bit when a call is not immediately deliverable and chasing a subscriber even if the message is to be delivered by converting the message to text for delivery by paging the subscriber.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network, in which closed user groups may be dynamically defined and modified to take advantage of special billing within the closed user groups. Abbreviated dialing within the closed user groups may also be used to make dialing more convenient. The closed user groups may include members anywhere in a global network, and may take advantage of the special billing, regardless of whether the members are located in different states and/or countries.

Abstract: A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment.

Abstract: A method for broadband transmissions through metallic wire in an interference-laden environment. Wideband communication through a wire is achieved in the presence of other wideband signals in the wire or in adjacent wires by applying a modulation schema to the wideband communication signal that forms a signal which is orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to all other signals that are present in the wire, whether directly applied or electromagnetically induced. In accordance with one illustrated embodiment, a CDMA code is applied to the wideband signal that is to be communicated through a given wire, and the code that is employed is orthogonal to the CDMA codes that are applied to other signals that flow through the wire or through other wires which are in the neighborhood of the given wire.

Abstract: A wideband communication system is achieved with apparatus coupled to a wire pair, such as the wire pair provided by a communication services provider at a customer's premises. Disclosed is an embodiment which illustratively employs CDMA as the modulation schema for communicated signals and which, by this means, achieves a bandwidth in the range of 1 MHz. Specifically, a modem is interposed between the wire pair and the customer premises devices which modulates applied signals using code division modulation. The customer premises devices interface with the modem through interfaces that are specialized for the type of device that does the communication, and through a controller that manages the interactions. Illustratively, the apparatus includes the ability to provide one or more POTS ports, an ISDN port, and an asynchronous digital port. Protocol with the provider's network is effected through a signaling channel that occupies a preselected frequency band.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between the customer services equipment and the local office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the local office, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted over the existing single twisted pair using xDSL transmission schemes. New services such as the implementation of Internet connectivity, videophone, utility metering, broadcasting, multicasting, bill viewing, information pushing in response to a user profile, directory look-up and other services can be implemented via a network server platform via this architecture.