Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing variable information in a line information database (LIDB). In summary, a LIDB which has been configured in accordance with the present invention and which further has been disposed within a public switched telephone network (PSTN) can include a first collection of invariant data persisted in individual records in the LIDB. Each of the records can have an association with a subscriber in the PSTN. A second collection of variable data can be persisted in the individual records in the LIDB. Specifically, the variable data can have been produced in an application deployed outside of the PSTN in a data communications network. Finally, a query interface can be included in the LIDB (or in association with the LIDB) to retrieve the variable data therein and to persist variable data therein.

Abstract: A method for providing call authorization within a telephony network can include receiving a telephony connectivity request for establishing a telephony voice channel between the originating device and a receiving device. The specified receiving device can be determined and receiving device specific information that includes an authorization requirement can be accessed. A connection between the originating device and the receiving device can be established responsive to whether the authorization code satisfies the authorization requirement.

Abstract: A method for implementing a remote receiver connected to a telephony network can include a call authorizer that can access remote receiver specific information, wherein the remote receiver specific information can include an authorization requirement. The call authorizer can receive a digitally encoded signal specifying an authorization code. Prior to a telephony connection being established between the remote receiver and an originating device, the call authorizer can determine whether the authorization code satisfies the authorization requirement. Responsive to this determination, the call authorizer can send a ringing signal via the telephone line to the remote receiver. The remote receiver can power an actuator within the remote receiver with a voltage from the ringing signal. The actuator can activate a device controlled by the remote receiver.

Abstract: A method (50) of dynamic creation of web services includes exposing (51) a flow of a service being built to other service providers in a network, soliciting (52) for services needed by a flow node of the flow, and enabling (55) other service providers to fill-in the services needed for the flow node. The method can further include incorporating (56) the services filled-in by the other service providers and optionally removing (57) any solicitation for services needed by the flow node once the services are filled-in and incorporated by the flow. The method can then complete (58) all the nodes of the flow, and create and deploy the service. Note, the step of soliciting can include advertising (53) WSDL files for the services needed by the flow node. The step of soliciting can also optionally include publishing (54) needed WSDL files in a UDDI-like directory.

Abstract: A method (50) of dynamic creation of service flows includes exposing (51) a flow of a service being built to other service providers in a network, soliciting (52) for modification of at least a portion of the flow, and selectively enabling (56) other service providers to modify at least a portion of the flow. The step of soliciting can optionally include advertising (53) BPEL files to indicate flows or portions of flow that are modifiable by other services providers and tagging (54) such BPEL files to indicate such modifiable or reusable portions of the flow. The BPEL files can also be published (55) in a UDDI-like directory. New flows can be created by incorporating (57) the modifications into at least a portion of the flow. Optionally, solicitations for modifications can be removed (59) once the new flow is created.

Abstract: A database migration system and method that provides continuous transaction service during migration. The invention allows minimal transaction service down time during database migration. The active database is copied to a target and updated at least one time. In one preferred embodiment, updating occurs over decreasing time intervals. When the time intervals become sufficiently short, transition to the target server is implemented by queuing transaction requests from the source server and then executing them on the target server.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing guest services to a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a guest services management center. In accordance with the present invention, a guest services management method can include prompting a guest through an established telephone call to manage at least one guest service without first prompting the guest for identifying information. The method further can include managing the guest service without accessing guest information derived through the established telephone call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing guest services to a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a guest services management center. In accordance with the present invention, a guest services management method can include telephonically connecting a guest to a guest services management system. Identifying information for the guest can be provided to the guest can be provided to the guest services management system externally to the telephonic connection. Consequently, management instructions received thought the telephonic connection for provisioned guest services for the guest can be processed using the identifying information provided externally to the telephonic connection.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing guest services to a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a guest services management center. In accordance with the present invention, a guest services management method can include receiving a telephone call from a guest through a PSTN linkage. Identifying information for the guest can be retrieved through a data communications network linkage without identifying the guest using data derived from the telephone call. The retrieved identifying information can be correlated with the telephone call and access to manage guest services through the PSTN linkage can be authenticated based upon the identifying information.

Abstract: A gateway serving as an interface between a mobile network and a wireless network can be configured to send a signal strength indicator to the mobile network thereby causing the mobile network to recognize the gateway as a valid path for handing off a call. The wireless network can be configured according to one of the 802.11 wireless communications protocols. The gateway can route the call from the mobile network to a wireless access point of the wireless network via a packet-switched network, such that the call is conducted via a wireless communications link with the wireless access point.

Abstract: Within a mobile communications device, a method of roaming between a mobile network and a wireless network can include establishing a Voice-Over Internet Protocol communications link with an endpoint over which a call is conducted, wherein at least a portion of the call is conducted over the wireless network. The method further can include initiating a handoff of at least a portion of the call from the wireless network to the mobile network using a Session Initiation Protocol refer method and continuing the call using the mobile network for at least a portion of the call rather than the wireless network.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a mobile communication device can include forming a Session Initiation Protocol referred by token using authentication data provided by a mobile service provider over a mobile communications link and sending the token to a Session Initiation Protocol server via a wireless network. The Session Initiation Protocol server can send a request for validation, built using the token, to the mobile service provider using Parlay. A reply from the Session Initiation Protocol server can be received over the wireless network, wherein the reply indicates whether the request for validation from the Session Initiation Protocol server was confirmed.

Abstract: A method of sharing instant messaging transcripts can include establishing an instant messaging session. The method can also include receiving a user request to publish a transcript of the session to a Weblog and publishing the transcript to the Weblog.

Abstract: A method of roaming between mobile and wireless networks can include detecting a wireless network and querying the wireless network for an Internet Protocol address for a mobile device. The Internet Protocol address can be received. Accordingly, a message can be sent to a mobile switching center of the mobile network using a mobile network control channel. The message can instruct the mobile switching center to route voice data intended for the mobile device to the Internet Protocol address via a communicatively linked gateway and the wireless network.

Abstract: A method of roaming between a mobile network and a wireless network can include receiving, over the wireless network, an invite from a user agent disposed within a mobile communications device. The mobile communications device can be engaged in a call over a voice channel in the mobile network. The method also can include selecting one of a plurality of gateways having an affinity with the user agent, wherein each gateway is configured as an interface between at least one mobile network and the wireless network. The call can be handed off from the mobile network so that at least a portion of the call is conducted over the wireless network using the selected gateway.

Abstract: A method of roaming between a cellular network and a wireless network can include receiving an invitation over the wireless network. The invitation can be sent from a mobile communications device engaged in a cellular call over a cellular voice channel. The method also can include authenticating the mobile communications device over the wireless network, sending an acknowledgement of the invitation to the mobile communications device over the wireless network, and initiating a handoff. The established cellular call can be switched from the cellular network to the wireless network.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a call in a call center using information stored in the LIDB. A call center which has been configured in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention can include at least one phone handset coupled to a gateway to a PSTN. An enterprise application can be associated with the handset and a data terminal coupled to the enterprise application. A view to the enterprise application further can be disposed in proximity to the handset. A database of caller information can be coupled to the enterprise application. Each record in the database can have a configuration for location based upon a searching key.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing variable information in a line information database (LIDB). In summary, a LIDB which has been configured in accordance with the present invention and which further has been disposed within a public switched telephone network (PSTN) can include a first collection of invariant data persisted in individual records in the LIDB. Each of the records can have an association with a subscriber in the PSTN. A second collection of variable data can be persisted in the individual records in the LIDB. Specifically, the variable data can have been produced in an application deployed outside of the PSTN in a data communications network. Finally, a query interface can be included in the LIDB (or in association with the LIDB) to retrieve the variable data therein and to persist variable data therein.

Abstract: A method for gathering operational metrics can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host can be a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The ghost agent can replicate actions of the host. Operational metrics for at least a portion of the replicated actions can be determined. The operational metrics can be recorded. The host can move within the grid environment. The ghost agent can responsively move in accordance with movement of the host.

Abstract: A method for evaluating system behavior within a grid environment can include the step of identifying a host software object, wherein the host software object includes a user object, an application, and/or a process. The software object can be associated with the host software object. The host actions of the host software object can be replicated within the associated software object. Replicated actions can be recorded. The host software object can move from one grid within the grid environment to a different grid. In response to the moving of the host software object, the associated software object can move from the one grid to the different grid.