Abstract: An Application Server entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises an interface for interfacing with an application and control logic which is arranged to inspect signaling information received from the application via the interface in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML). The received signaling information is compared with stored rule data which specifies a relationship between an element in the signaling information and an action that should be taken and output data is generated based on the comparison. The Application Server can output operational measurements and/or charging information which more accurately reflect usage made of the Application Server resources. The need for a separate OSA/Parlay-X gateway can be avoided.

Abstract: A method of brokering a network resource 10 includes providing a service broker processor 12 and a service broker registry 13. On receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorises registration in the service broker registry. A network client 14 is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path 54 is set up between the third party 21 and the network resource 10 to provide the requested network service.

Abstract: A Call Session Control Function (CSCF) entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises a first interface for interfacing with other entities and uses signalling in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. The other entities that the CSCF interfaces with can be located outside the IMS network, such as servers supporting third party IT or web-based applications, or within the IMS network. The CSCF directs XML based service requests by filtering XML messages received via the first interface.

Abstract: A Call Session Control Function (CSCF) entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises a first interface for interfacing with other entities and uses signalling in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. The other entities that the CSCF interfaces with can be located outside the IMS network, such as servers supporting third party IT or web-based applications, or within the IMS network. The CSCF directs XML based service requests by filtering XML messages received via the first interface.

Abstract: A method of brokering a network resource 10 includes providing a service broker processor 12 and a service broker registry 13. On receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorises registration in the service broker registry. A network client 14 is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path 54 is set up between the third party 21 and the network resource 10 to provide the requested network service.

Abstract: An Application Server entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises an interface for interfacing with an application and control logic which is arranged to inspect signaling information received from the application via the interface in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML). The received signaling information is compared with stored rule data which specifies a relationship between an element in the signaling information and an action that should be taken and output data is generated based on the comparison. The Application Server can output operational measurements and/or charging information which more accurately reflect usage made of the Application Server resources. The need for a separate OSA/Parlay-X gateway can be avoided.

Abstract: An Application Server entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises an interface for interfacing with an application and control logic which is arranged to inspect signalling information received from the application via the interface in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML). The received signalling information is compared with stored rule data which specifies a relationship between an element in the signalling information and an action that should be taken and output data is generated based on the comparison. The Application Server can output operational measurements and/or charging information which more accurately reflect usage made of the Application Server resources. The need for a separate OSA/Parlay-X gateway can be avoided.

Abstract: A method of brokering a network resource. The method includes providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry. Upon receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorizes registration in the service broker registry. A network client is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path is set up between the third party and the network resource to provide the requested network service.

Abstract: A user status may be updated at one of a plurality of network entities associated with a user. Through communication between the network entity on which the update has been made and a central server, an indication of the status update may be transmitted, by the central server, to the other network entities associated with the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved video head-end. The video head-end is adapted to, upon receipt of a data stream including interactive data, identify the interactive data and extract the interactive data from the data stream. Once the interactive data has been extracted from the data stream it can be translated into a different language. The different language being one that an endpoint in a television network can process. Once the interactive data has been translated it can be transmitted, along with any other data that formed part of the data stream the television network.

Abstract: Increasing use is being made of XML procedure calls to control and integrate telecommunications networks with other IT equipment. XML messages are verbose and include information which is not required merely to monitor activity in the network for purposes such as billing and authentication. The use of XPath or XQuery operations allow the XML messages to be dynamically and quickly analysed and filtered for relevant information.

Abstract: A communication system having a user input arranged to receive data from a user, an information input arranged to receive information about another user and a rule server. The rule server being arranged to store a rule that initiates communication between the user and the another user when the communication system receives information about the another user. The information relating to trigger information specified by the user.

Abstract: An Application Server entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises an interface for interfacing with an application and control logic which is arranged to inspect signalling information received from the application via the interface in the form of Extensible Markup Language (XML). The received signalling information is compared with stored rule data which specifies a relationship between an element in the signalling information and an action that should be taken and output data is generated based on the comparison. The Application Server can output operational measurements and/or charging information which more accurately reflect usage made of the Application Server resources. The need for a separate OSA/Parlay-X gateway can be avoided.

Abstract: A Call Session Control Function (CSCF) entity in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network comprises a first interface for interfacing with other entities and uses signalling in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. The other entities that the CSCF interfaces with can be located outside the IMS network, such as servers supporting third party IT or web-based applications, or within the IMS network. The CSCF directs XML based service requests by filtering XML messages received via the first interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carrier (service provider) hosted enterprise voice over internet protocol (VoIP) virtual private network (VPN) across a number of sites of an enterprise where said sites are located in a number of different countries. The enterprise VoIP VPN interfaces with the public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) in each of the countries via respective media gateways. The media gateways are controlled by a single network intelligence apparatus (call agent) of the carrier network which is located in one country but which controls all the media gateways interfacing the enterprise VoIP VPN with the PSTNs of the various countries through a network intelligence IP VPN provisioned on a public IP network. The arrangement of the invention negates the need for a network intelligence apparatus to be provisioned in each country in which the enterprise has sites serviced by the enterprise VoIP VPN.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to prevent nuisance calls to a user from calling parties, especially when the number of the calling party is withheld. A database is compiled of calling parties who the user does not wish to receive communications from and calls from those parties are blocked. The identity of the calling party is added to the database after the user receives a call from the party and decides at the time of the call that they do not wish to receive any further communication from that party. They invoke a method which extracts the identity of the calling party from the call signalling messages and adds it to the database. In this way further communications from the party will be denied.

Abstract: A method of brokering a network resource 10 includes providing a service broker processor 12 and a service broker registry 13. On receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorises registration in the service broker registry. A network client 14 is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path 54 is set up between the third party 21 and the network resource 10 to provide the requested network service.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a service control processor and a plurality of network nodes, in which the network is arranged to operate under a programmable intelligent network protocol. The protocol incorporates a hierarchical control relationship in which the nodes incorporate a degree of intelligence.