Abstract: A method for controlling circuit switched communications using switched virtual circuit (SVC) signaling includes receiving, at a service controller over a signaling channel from an originating end system, a connection setup signal requesting a switched virtual circuit connection. A proxy setup signal enabling setup of the switched virtual circuit connection in response to the connection setup signal is sent over a proxy signaling channel separate from the signaling channel.

Abstract: A system allows switch signaling to be processed in a controller adjunct to a switch, and for the controller to effect the connection by signaling to the switch. This is accomplished by an end unit communicating service information to a controller and the controller instructing the switch to carry out the service transaction. The service information from the end unit is routed through the switch being controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for session continuity in multimedia services. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimedia services system has a plurality of service centers each capable of offering one or more multimedia services to an end user, and a controller for managing operations of the service centers. The controller can be programmed to monitor the end user's use of multimedia services from said service centers, detect a change in use by the end user, and offer the end user a multimedia service adapted to the change in use.

Abstract: A network node sets up a virtual connection in a network based on a virtual connection request initiated from an access port different from a first location previously associated with an account of a user. The network node includes a receiver for receiving a signaling message from the access port requesting the virtual connection. The signaling message has at least one field modified to include an address of the access port. The network node further includes a profile database and a registration server. The profile database stores a service policy associated with the user account. The registration server stores an address of the first location associated with the user account as a default registration, determines whether the user is authorized to establish the virtual connection based on the service policy, and replaces the first location address with the access port address when the user is authorized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authorizing and allocating outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed system comprises an application server to initiate an outdial communication service, a gateway to transport the outdial communication service from the application server to an access network via a shared communication facility, and a policy server to selectively authorize the initiated outdial service and, if the outdial service is authorized, to allocate a portion of the shared communication facility to the authorized outdial service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for subscriber and enterprise assignments and resource sharing are disclosed. A disclosed method includes managing resources for a communication service having a communication location. The disclosed method comprising associating a group identifier with a sub-group type, and associating a subscriber with the group identifier, wherein the sub-group type is used to determine at least one super-group usable to route an outdial call from the communication location if the outdial call is associated with the subscriber, and wherein the super-group comprises at least one of a circuit group or a voice over internet protocol communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data structure driven authorization and routing of outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises obtaining a call criterion from a request to authorize an outdial communication service call, and retrieving an authorization result based on the call criterion by accessing a data structure that correlates a plurality of authorization results with a plurality of call criteria, wherein each of the plurality of authorization results is selectively modifiable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authorizing and allocating outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed system comprises an application server to initiate an outdial communication service, a gateway to transport the outdial communication service from the application server to an access network via a shared communication facility, and a policy server to selectively authorize the initiated outdial service and, if the outdial service is authorized, to allocate a portion of the shared communication facility to the authorized outdial service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating resources of a shared communication facility to outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises allocating a resource of a shared communication facility based on a reserved portion and a maximum portion of the shared facility, a requested outdial communication service type, and a current shared facility utilization, and changing a state of a variable to update the current shared facility utilization.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automated provisioning of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateways, proxy servers, session border controllers, softswitches and/or softswitch/proxy servers are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises performing a query of a database containing records specifying a communication path between a first communication network and a second communications network via a communication device, translating a result of the database query into a configuration parameter for the communication device, and configuring the communications device with the configuration parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform outdial facsimile services are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises sending an admittance request message containing a destination from a communication device to a gatekeeper, receiving an admittance response message containing an address of a gateway at the communication device, establishing a simple message transfer protocol (SMTP) session with the gateway, and transmitting a copy of a stored facsimile from the communication device via the gateway to the destination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed method to route an outdial call from a first communication device to a first endpoint comprises receiving an indial call setup from a second endpoint at the first communication device, wherein the call setup contains an access number used to route an indial call associated with the indial call setup from the second endpoint via a second communication device to the first communication device, and selecting, based on the access number, a route for the outdial call that includes the second communication device, wherein the second communication device is configured to communicatively couple the first and the second endpoints.

Abstract: A method and system for associating a switched virtual circuit (SVC) connection request from an access port in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network to a subscriber and optionally registering an address of the access port in relation to the subscriber. The method and system include receiving a signaling protocol message requesting the SVC connection from the access port, determining whether the signaling protocol message contains subscriber authentication data and, when authenticated, establishing the SVC connection. Furthermore, the SVC connection may be established only if service policies corresponding to the subscriber retrieved from a database indicate that the subscriber is entitled to make SVC connections. The method and system further include registering an address of the access port in the ATM network by substituting the address of the access port for an original subscriber address.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic. Data related to the requested service is obtained using at least one of a push procedure, a pull procedure, a query procedure, and a procedure in which requests are associated with the issuance of certificates.

Abstract: A system that controls access to a communications network in accordance with a network service includes a service controller and a network connector. The service controller receives a request for the network service from an end system, provides the end system with a unique setup identifier and an enabling certificate, and instructs the end system to send a connection setup request to access the communications network, the connection setup request including the certificate and the unique setup identifier. The certificate includes information relating to a permitted setup and service policy or logic representing service capabilities or service permissions. The network connector receives the connection setup request from the end system, processes the connection setup request based on the certificate and the unique identifier, and establishes a network connection in accordance with at least the certificate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic.

Abstract: A communications services network platform has a multi-layered software architecture residing on a host computer. The network platform connects to a communications network and includes a call processing stack, a link layer, and a service support subsystem. The call processing stack implements call processing by processing events associated with a communication path through the communications network and has an application layer, representing each active call being processed by the call processing stack, and a resource layer, including software abstractions of physical resources located outside the host computer. The link layer manages a communications link between physically connected physical resources and the call processing stack. The service support subsystem executes services requested by the call processing stack. The platform manages and controls communications events associated with the communication path to complete a request for services between nodes on the communication network.

Abstract: A method and system for associating a switched virtual circuit (SVC) connection request from an access port in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network to a subscriber and optionally registering an address of the access port in relation to the subscriber. The method and system include receiving a signaling protocol message requesting the SVC connection from the access port, determining whether the signaling protocol message contains subscriber authentication data and, when authenticated, establishing the SVC connection. Furthermore, the SVC connection may be established only if service policies corresponding to the subscriber retrieved from a database indicate that the subscriber is entitled to make SVC connections. The method and system further include registering an address of the access port in the ATM network by substituting the address of the access port for an original subscriber address.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a distributed switching system supporting a plurality of services. A service request is initiated by an initiating customer. The service request is then executed using, for example, a user-to-network interface setup. A terminating setup is then performed to either accept or reject the requested service. Multiple service requests are correlated with respective services to enable at least one appropriate policy and logic.