Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing wind pressure on wind turbine blades by selectively opening excessive wind portals in the turbine blades. One embodiment comprises a wind turbine system in which each of the turbine's blades has a portal therethrough that is opened or closed by a movable panel. Each panel is connected on one edge to the corresponding blade at the edge of the portal. Hook-and-loop material (Velcro) is attached to the edges of each portal and panel, allowing the panels to alternately open and then close the portals over a series of high wind events. Excessive wind pressure forces the panels to be released, opening the portals. Gravity or reversed wind direction with respect to the blade can be used to reseal the panels.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a call from a primary interactive voice response (IVR) system at a load-balancing IVR system. The primary IVR system routes a first percentage of calls to routing logic and a second percentage of calls to the load-balancing IVR system. A telephony system is selected from among a plurality of telephony systems based on agent availability data associated with call center sites of the plurality of telephony systems. The method includes routing the call to a routing protocol component of the routing logic, where the routing protocol component routes the call to a call center of the selected telephony system.

Abstract: A method for resetting Internet access account passwords can include the step of connecting a user with an interactive voice response system (IVR). At least one access account associated with the user can be determined. The IVR can validate that the user is authorized to access the access account. The IVR can then cause a password associated with the at least one access account to be reset. The IVR can also present the reset password to the user.

Abstract: A network management system (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to retrieve (202) a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), reconstruct (208) call paths from attributes in the plurality of CDRs, and generate (210) extended CDRs from reconstructed call paths.

Abstract: A method includes receiving performance data associated with a service provided by at least one component of a communication network to one or more subscribers. The performance data may be gathered by one or more passive listening devices that monitor a performance characteristic of the at least one component of the communication network. The method further includes identifying the at least one component that provides a particular service to a particular subscriber based on a subscriber inquiry received from the particular subscriber. The method further includes identifying particular performance data within the received performance data. The particular performance data may be associated with the particular service provided by the at least one component. The method further includes determining a performance status of the at least one component, based on the particular performance data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing wind pressure on wind turbine blades by selectively opening excessive wind portals in the turbine blades. One embodiment comprises a wind turbine system in which each of the turbine's blades has a portal therethrough that is opened or closed by a movable panel. Each panel is connected on one edge to the corresponding blade at the edge of the portal. Hook-and-loop material (Velcro) is attached to the edges of each portal and panel, allowing the panels to alternately open and then close the portals over a series of high wind events. Excessive wind pressure forces the panels to be released, opening the portals. Gravity or reversed wind direction with respect to the blade can be used to reseal the panels.

Abstract: A method includes receiving performance data associated with a service provided by at least one component of a communication network to one or more subscribers. The performance data may be gathered by one or more passive listening devices that monitor a performance characteristic of the at least one component of the communication network. The method further includes identifying the at least one component that provides a particular service to a particular subscriber based on a subscriber inquiry received from the particular subscriber. The method further includes identifying particular performance data within the received performance data. The particular performance data may be associated with the particular service provided by the at least one component. The method further includes determining a performance status of the at least one component, based on the particular performance data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automating network performance to a customer support department that includes a passive listening device configured to monitor portions of a communication network. A performance database may be coupled to the passive listening device and configured to store network performance data. A customer relations module may be included and configured to receive a subscriber inquiry and to identify at least one monitored component of a communication network that affects the subscriber. The module may retrieve performance data on one or more components of the communication network to provide customer-specific communication performance data to the subscriber and/or the agent assisting the subscriber.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a call from a primary interactive voice response (IVR) system at a load-balancing IVR system. The primary IVR system routes a first percentage of calls to routing logic and a second percentage of calls to the load-balancing IVR system. A telephony system is selected from among a plurality of telephony systems based on agent availability data associated with call center sites of the plurality of telephony systems. The method includes routing the call to a routing protocol component of the routing logic, where the routing protocol component routes the call to a call center of the selected telephony system.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic load balancing between telephony systems are provided. The system includes an input to receive a call from a primary interactive voice response (IVR) system. The system also includes an IVR unit responsive to the call to receive input from a caller. The system also includes logic to select a telephony system from among a plurality of telephony systems based on the input from the caller and based on agent availability data of the plurality of telephony systems. The system further includes at least one output to send the received call for allocation to a call center site of the selected telephony system based on a routing protocol associated with the selected telephony system.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method to monitor service outages of a service center, detect a service outage, identify one or more customers affected by the service outage, and assign a credit to each of the affected one or more customers. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated IVR apparatus for notifying entities of customer-specific information. An automated IVR application that enables subscribers to check the status of their DSL line and to report problems in real time. A “Service Restoration Callback” application enables a service provider to automatically contact a customer via telephone when service is restored after an outage. The customer can configure parameters concerning the received callback. An outage detection module checks all available systems for the status of a customer's service on a real-time, customer-by-customer, call-for-call basis.

Abstract: A network management system (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to retrieve (202) a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), reconstruct (208) call paths from attributes in the plurality of CDRs, and generate (210) extended CDRs from reconstructed call paths.

Abstract: A network management system (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to retrieve (202) a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), reconstruct (208) call paths from attributes in the plurality of CDRs, and generate (210) extended CDRs from reconstructed call paths.

Abstract: A server for automatically handling dial-up connectivity problems via a voice connection can include a controller to interface with a caller during a voice call, query a network operations center using a data connection to determine whether a dial-up number associated with the caller and received by the server is out of service, and present alternative dial-up numbers during the voice call without prompting the caller for further information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reporting and responding to dial-up connectivity problems can include the step of establishing a voice connection between a caller and an automated response system. The caller can be automatically prompted for a dial-up access number that is problematic for the caller. A determination can be automatically made as to whether the received dial-up access number is valid. A potential problem can be automatically reported to a network operations center responsible for the access number via a data connection. The caller can be automatically presented with at least one alternative dial-up access number via the voice connection.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method to monitor service outages of a service center, detect a service outage, identify one or more customers affected by the service outage, and assign a credit to each of the affected one or more customers. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for resetting access account passwords using an interactive voice response system (IVR) can include the step of the IVR receiving a user request to reset a password. Account identification data can be acquired. The acquired data can be matched to account information stored in at least one compartmentalized system. The matching can identify at least one access account for which the user request applies. The IVR can also receive account verification data and compare this data with data stored within the compartmentalized system associated with the identified access account. Based upon results of this comparison, the IVR can reset the password stored within the compartmentalized system. The IVR can be configured to reset passwords for several compartmentalized systems.

Abstract: An account management system (100) is coupled to a service center (101) serving a number of customers (108). The account management system has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to monitor (202) service outages of the service center, detect (204) a service outage, identify (206) one or more customers affected by the service outage, and assign (208) a credit to each of the affected one or more customers.

Abstract: A method for an automated voice response system to present access numbers to dial-up Internet users. The automated voice response system can perform the step of establishing a telephony communication with a party responsive to a received telephone call from the party. An indicator a service region within which dial-up Internet access is requested can be received by the automated voice response system. At least one data store can be queried for access numbers associated with the service region. A response to the querying step can be dynamically generated. The generated response can be customized specifically for the telephony communication. When the response includes at least one access number, the included access number or numbers can be presented to the party across the telephone communication.