Abstract: A method and system for controlling distribution of content through a communications network uses a second, parallel network for delivery of a transaction indicia to a requesting party. The use of the parallel network enables the transaction indicia to be forwarded to the party independently of the communications network, thereby reducing the probability of a party fraudulently obtaining delivery of the content. Additionally, information associated with the parallel network can be used to restrict distribution of the content to parties within a predetermined domain, such as, for example, a geographical region. The content may be delivered to the party in an encrypted form, preferably using an encryption algorithm and key designed to enable decryption of the content on only the content delivery device from which the request for the content was originated.

Abstract: Service subscriber inbound call control is effected from within a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a Call Service Node (CSN). On receipt of a call directed to the service subscriber, at least one messaging network message is sent to the service subscriber to request a call treatment option. Pending receipt of a reply from the subscriber, the call is routed by the CSN to a call parking facility in the PSTN. The call parking facility may be a voice mail box of the subscriber or an announcement facility. After a call treatment option is received, the call is released from the call parking facility the call treatment is effected. The service enables single number service for multiple service subscriber directory numbers, unified voice mail for multiple service subscriber telephone numbers, or segregated voice mail boxes for a single service subscriber number, as well as real-time, interactive inbound call screening.

Abstract: A collaboration services suite is adapted to support a plurality of integrated telecommunications services accessed by geographically dispersed team members using a virtual team environment (VTE) client that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) for each of the respective team members. Communications sessions are automatically set up by the collaboration services suite in response to request messages generated by the VTE client when a team member initiates a communications session request using the GUI. Team members require no knowledge of another team member's communications device address in order to initiate a communications session. The collaboration services suite includes a VTE server that communicates with the VTE clients, a presence engine that collects and maintains a status of communications devices specified in a current profile of the team member; and, a call server for handling setup and control of a voice component of each communications session completed.

Abstract: A collaboration services suite is adapted to support a plurality of integrated telecommunications services accessed by geographically dispersed team members using a virtual team environment (VTE) client that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) for each of the respective team members. Communications sessions are automatically set up by the collaboration services suite in response to request messages generated by the VTE client when a team member initiates a communications session request using the GUI. Team members require no knowledge of another team member's communications device address in order to initiate a communications session. The collaboration services suite includes a VTE server that communicates with the VTE clients, a presence engine that collects and maintains a status of communications devices specified in a current profile of the team member; and, a call server for handling setup and control of a voice component of each communications session completed.

Abstract: A collaboration services suite is adapted to support a plurality of integrated telecommunications services accessed by geographically dispersed team members using a virtual team environment (VTE) client that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) for each of the respective team members. Communications sessions are automatically set up by the collaboration services suite in response to request messages generated by the VTE client when a team member initiates a communications session request using the GUI. Team members require no knowledge of another team member's communications device address in order to initiate a communications session. The collaboration services suite includes a VTE server that communicates with the VTE clients, a presence engine that collects and maintains a status of communications devices specified in a current profile of the team member; and, a call server for handling setup and control of a voice component of each communications session completed.

Abstract: A collaboration services suite is adapted to support a plurality of integrated telecommunications services accessed by geographically dispersed team members using a virtual team environment (VTE) client that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) for each of the respective team members. Communications sessions are automatically set up by the collaboration services suite in response to request messages generated by the VTE client when a team member initiates a communications session request using the GUI. Team members require no knowledge of another team member's communications device address in order to initiate a communications session. The collaboration services suite includes a VTE server that communicates with the VTE clients, a presence engine that collects and maintains a status of communications devices specified in a current profile of the team member; and, a call server for handling setup and control of a voice component of each communications session completed.

Abstract: A collaboration services suite is adapted to support a plurality of integrated telecommunications services accessed by geographically dispersed team members using a virtual team environment (VTE) client that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) for each of the respective team members. Communications sessions are automatically set up by the collaboration services suite in response to request messages generated by the VTE client when a team member initiates a communications session request using the GUI. Team members require no knowledge of another team member's communications device address in order to initiate a communications session. The collaboration services suite includes a VTE server that communicates with the VTE clients, a presence engine that collects and maintains a status of communications devices specified in a current profile of the team member; and, a call server for handling setup and control of a voice component of each communications session completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing resources in a switched telephone network by providing call treatment at the closest available resource to the calling party preventing holding up network connection through to the terminating location if resources are not available at call termination equipment to handle a call. The selected calls are locally parked pending the availability of service termination resources to handle the call. The availability of service resources at the termination is determined before a selected call is extended through the network. Advantageously while the call is parked call treatment discrimination can be performed.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating information retrieved from a data network, with a telephone call initiated by an initial address message (IAM) at a multi-line facility, such as a call center or a voice access server (VAS), hinges on extracting an identifier string inserted into the user-user-interface field of the IAM, and accompanying the information. The information is used to perform an enhanced service feature which may include aiding the selection of an internal line at call center's call distributor, or the selection and customization of delivery of a service feature, at a VAS. The information may also be displayed at a display terminal associated with a call center agent handling the call.

Abstract: Direct access to a voice mail box hosted by a voice mail system (VMS) permits a requesting party to go directly to the voice mail box without first placing a call to the service subscriber who owns the voice mail box. Direct access can be enabled from call termination equipment, such as a dial-up directory service, or from a data network interface, such as a web page on a worldwide web server or a button embedded in an electronic mail message.

Abstract: A system and method provide a call service features in response to call control information conveyed by a monitored bearer channel in a telecommunications network. A bearer channel monitor captures the call control information and relays the information to a call control application server. The call control application server analyzes the call control information, and provides call control instructions to a call control node that operates in the telecommunications network to effect the call service. The call control node serves as one or more virtual switching points in the network to directly control call routing without disconnecting a called or calling party, unless required as part of a service feature. Control from a center of the telecommunications network provides rapid and efficient call control without use of edge devices or duplication of bearer channels in the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing resources in a switched telephone network by providing call treatment at the closest available resource to the calling party preventing holding up network connection through to the terminating location if resources are not available at call termination equipment to handle a call. The selected calls are locally parked pending the availability of service termination resources to handle the call. The availability of service resources at the termination is determined before a selected call is extended through the network. Advantageously while the call is parked call treatment discrimination can be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating calling parties prior to call connection at a service facility uses the correlation of the call with a security message received over a data network. The correlation is made possible with an encoded string inserted into a field (such as the user-to-user information (UUI) field) of a call set-up signaling message used to initiate the call, and a correlate of the encoded string inserted into the security message. The authentication is provided at an authentication site that is logically separate from the service facility. The call is first connected to the authentication site, an authentication procedure is preferably selected and customized, and then performed. A security message is generated that includes information related to the client and the encoded string. The call is then disconnected from the authentication site, and reconnected to the service facility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing resources for accessing a service resource in a switched telephone network are described. The service resource is accessed by a calling party who interacts with the service resource, the interaction results in routing information for completing a call. The apparatus includes a call control node that is a virtual switching node in a switching plane of the network and a physical node in a signaling plane of the network. The call control node may be a logical node in a trunk group used to access the service resource. The call control node receives control messages related to calls completed to the service resource. In accordance with the method, the service resource passes routing information to the call control node. The call control node initiates actions to release the facilities used to access the service resource, and to establish a new call connection using the routing information without disconnecting the calling party.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating information retrieved from a data network, with a telephone call initiated by an initial address message (IAM) at a multi-line facility, such as a call center or a voice access server (VAS), hinges on extracting an identifier string inserted into the user-user-interface field of the IAM, and accompanying the information. The information is used to perform an enhanced service feature which may include aiding the selection of an internal line at call center's call distributor, or the selection and customization of delivery of a service feature, at a VAS. The information may also be displayed at a display terminal associated with a call center agent handling the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing electronically mailable call credits and call connections to be charged thereto are purchased by a customer for a recipient through the Internet and sent via email to the recipient. The recipient requests a call by activating an icon associated with the email. An application server receives the request and sends a call request message via the Internet to a virtual switching point associated with a switched telephone network. The virtual switching point initiates actions in the switched telephone network to set up a telephone communication between the recipient and a party to be called.

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: Direct access to a voice mail box hosted by a voice mail system (VMS) permits a requesting party to go directly to the voice mail box without first placing a call to the service subscriber who owns the voice mail box. Direct access can be enabled from call termination equipment, such as a dial-up directory service, or from a data network interface, such as a web page on a worldwide web server or a button embedded in an electronic mail message.

Abstract: An enhanced application switched telephone network and a method of completing calls using the network are described. In the enhanced application switched telephone network, every switching office is connected to at least one enhanced ISUP voice-grade trunk. A link set and a route set associated with the enhanced trunk route common channel signaling messages associated with calls directed to the enhanced trunk(s) to a call control node. The call control node is thereby enabled to exercise control over those calls. The advantages include point of origin call control, enhanced application service development, rapid service, deployment and significantly more efficient use of PSTN facilities.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling distribution of content through a communications network uses a second, parallel network for delivery of a transaction indicia to a requesting party. The use of the parallel network enables the transaction indicia to be forwarded to the party independently of the communications network, thereby reducing the probability of a party fraudulently obtaining delivery of the content. Additionally, information associated with the parallel network can be used to restrict distribution of the content to parties within a predetermined domain, such as, for example, a geographical region. The content may be delivered to the party in an encrypted form, preferably using an encryption algorithm and key designed to enable decryption of the content on only the content delivery device from which the request for the content was originated.