Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A tangible computer-readable storage medium is encoded with an executable computer program for routing international communications. When executed, the processor performs operations including receiving, from an international gateway via a network node, international communication origination data for an international communication to a customer's communication address. Customer routing instructions are received from the customer via a web server and are stored. The received customer routing instructions are retrieved and a determination is made of a first destination communication address based on the international communication origination data and the retrieved customer routing instructions. The first destination communication address is forwarded to the network node for routing the international communication to the destination communication address.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A customized routing service platform for routing international communications includes a receiver that receives, from an international gateway via a network node, international communication origination data for an international communication to a customer's communication address. A database server receives customer routing instructions from the customer via a web server. The database server stores the received customer routing instructions. The database server also retrieves stored customer routing instructions, and determines a destination communication address based on the international communication origination data and the retrieved customer routing instructions. A forwarder forwards the destination communication address to the network node for routing the international communication to the destination communication address.

Abstract: Communications from a first communications address identified by a service user are controlled. Data of a communication from the first communications address to a third party communications address is received. The communication is disallowed when an identification number received from a party requesting the communication is not a personal identification number specified by the service user, the first communications address is a restricted address for which the service user has elected to disallow communications, and the third party communications address is not a priority communications address for which the service user has elected to allow communications.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

Abstract: A method for updating communications service parameters includes receiving, at a platform configured for speech recognition functionality and corresponding to a communications address associated with verbally updating communications service parameters, a voice instruction from a requester to update a communications service parameter. The voice instruction is translated into digital command data and the digital command data and the update to the communications service parameter are stored in a database. A change in a communications service corresponding to the update to the communications service parameter is implemented in near real-time.

Abstract: A system for reporting telecommunications system usage data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network controller that captures telecommunications service billing data and reporting data, and populates a base module with the billing data and a local use module with the reporting data. The system also includes a storage system that stores the base module and the appended local use module, and a reporting system that generates billing reports from the base module and various user-selectable reports from the appended local use module.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting announcement to a called party that is busy on a first call and receives a second call. Information provided by a second calling party is recorded and played back to the called party after the first call is over. The called party is not interrupted during the duration of the first call.

Abstract: A telecommunications service implements an account code reporting feature by storing an account code associated with a subscriber at a service control point (SCP) in the public switched telephone network (PSTN). When a call is initiated from the subscriber's terminal, the SCP receives outgoing call data, including the subscriber's telephone number, a called party number and an account code entered from the subscriber's terminal. The SCP determines whether the call is subject to the account code reporting service and, if so, stores the call data. The SCP transmits the call data to a service management system accessible by the subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packet switched data network and an interactive voice response through the PSTN. The call is subject to the account code reporting service when the called party number is in the same local access and transport area as the subscriber's telephone number.

Abstract: A menu routing service routes calls made to a customer's toll-free number according to customized routing instructions, including instructions for routing calls originating in a non-domestic country. An international gateway receives a call to the toll-free number and populates a portion of a calling party number field with data indicating that the call originated in a non-domestic country. A network switch receives the call from the gateway based on at least an identification of a carrier associated with the toll-free number. A customized routing service platform receives the call and the non-domestic call origination data from the network switch. The platform determines a destination number based on the non-domestic call origination data and routing instructions received from a web server, accessible by the customer via a packet switched data network. The platform forwards the destination number to the network switch for routing the call to the destination number.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or can not be provided, even when the called party connects to the network by private trunk group facilities. In one disclosed embodiment, a trunk group trigger associated with the called communication station is encountered, launching a termination attempt query. If standard caller identification information can not be provided for the calling party, the call will be routed to a privacy service to obtain the audible caller identification information.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A system for reporting telecommunications system usage data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network controller that captures telecommunications service billing data and reporting data, and populates a base module with the billing data and a local use module with the reporting data. The system also includes a storage system that stores the base module and the appended local use module, and a reporting system that generates billing reports from the base module and various user-selectable reports from the appended local use module.

Abstract: A system is provided for reporting call data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network element, such as a service control point, that generates billing records. The network element populates a base module with standard data and also populates a local use module, appended to the base module, with call data required for reports associated with the telecommunication service. The system also includes a report generating system that receives the base record and appended local use module and generates reports based upon the call data stored in the base module and the appended local use module.

Abstract: A customized routing service platform for routing international communications includes a receiver that receives, from an international gateway via a network node, international communication origination data for an international communication to a customer's communication address. A database server receives customer routing instructions from the customer via a web server. The database server stores the received customer routing instructions. The database server also retrieves stored customer routing instructions, and determines a destination communication address based on the international communication origination data and the retrieved customer routing instructions. A forwarder forwards the destination communication address to the network node for routing the international communication to the destination communication address.

Abstract: A telephone call is billed that originates in a primary carrier telecommunications network and terminates in a secondary telecommunications carrier network. The call is billed by generating multiple billing records in response to the telephone call, at least one billing record comprising a toll free number administered by the secondary carrier. It is determined whether the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier; and the billing record including the toll free number administered by the secondary carrier is discarded when it is determined that the toll free number is administered by the secondary carrier. Thus, the primary carrier only bills for a portion of the call that was connected from the caller to the termination point of the primary carrier network.

Abstract: Communications from a first communications address identified by a service user are controlled. Data of a communication from the first communications address to a third party communications address is received. The communication is disallowed when an identification number received from a party requesting the communication is not a personal identification number specified by the service user, the first communications address is a restricted address for which the service user has elected to disallow communications, and the third party communications address is not a priority communications address for which the service user has elected to allow communications.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet to receive customized call alerts and caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. Using client software, the subscriber associates telephone numbers to sound files. Then, when an incoming call with caller identification information is received, the client software determines whether the incoming telephone number points to a sound file. If so, the client software directs the sound file to play.