Abstract: Caller identification information is conveyed to the called party in manners other than through the display of textual information on a display screen. The caller ID information may be provided as musical tones where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the musical tones being output, such as various musical notes and length of the note. The caller ID information may be provided as a light pattern where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the light pattern being output, such as colors, period of light, and flashes. The caller ID information may be provided as tactile patterns where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the tactile pattern being output, such as producing vibration patterns or Braille characters. The called party may then recognize the caller from the conveyed caller ID information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for providing a status notification for a message in a communications network. An embodiment of this invention is a voicemail system, which provides a caller in a telecommunications network with the option of requesting a status notification for a voicemail message when the recording of the message is complete. By requesting status notification, the caller is indicating that the voicemail system should track any actions related to the message that occur within the voicemail system. The caller also specifies a destination identifier, which includes formatting and addressing information that the voicemail system uses for subsequent notification. As actions are taken in relation to the message, the voicemail system creates disposition identifiers and associates these identifiers with the message.

Abstract: Caller identification information is conveyed to the called party in manners other than through the display of textual information on a display screen. The caller ID information may be provided as musical tones where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the musical tones being output, such as various musical notes and length of the note. The caller ID information may be provided as a light pattern where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the light pattern being output, such as colors, period of light, and flashes. The caller ID information may be provided as tactile patterns where the characters of the caller ID information are mapped to the elements of the tactile pattern being output, such as producing vibration patterns or Braille characters. The called party may then recognize the caller from the conveyed caller ID information.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the status of a plurality of service package applications operating on a service node of a telecommunications network. A heartbeat message generating application is stored on the service node and includes a shared database that is accessible by at least two of the plurality of service package applications. A heartbeat message receiving application is stored on a service control point (SCP) that is in communication with the service node, the heartbeat message receiving application including a status database that includes records for monitoring the status of the at least two of the plurality of service package applications. The heartbeat message generating application generates a heartbeat message containing information retrieved from the shared database and sends the heartbeat message to the heartbeat message receiving application where the information is extracted and used to update the status database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: A communication network that includes a flash hook detector and a communication device is operated by detecting a flash hook of the communication device at the flash hook detector. A signal is transmitted from the flash hook detector to the communication network responsive to detecting the flash hook. The flash hook is processed in the communication network.

Abstract: Voice service over a next generation network is provided using Advanced Intelligent Network solutions. According to an exemplary embodiment, a Voice over Network system includes a communications device having a directory communication address in communication with a telecommunications network, means for decoding the directory communications address to identify a voice over internet protocol service feature of the communications address, and means for establishing an internet protocol telephony communications connection of the communications device with a called party's communications address via a VoN hotline. According to further exemplary embodiments, the hotline may include a media gateway, an application server, a feature server, and means for communicating among the media gateway, the application server, and the feature server.