Abstract: A method includes provisioning a mobile user with usage minutes for usage calls. The method includes determining whether the mobile user and a telephone user either belong to the same provider or different providers after a call between the users is initiated. The call is designated as a usage call if the users belong to different providers. If the call is a usage call, then the mobile user is advised that the call is a usage call and the number of usage minutes remaining and an affirmation from the mobile user is required to complete the call.

Abstract: The invention uses the advanced intelligent network to provide caller identification for calls placed over the internet (24). A long distance call placed with an internet carrier results in the originating SSP (14) forwarding the call to an originating POP (22) for the internet carrier. The caller ID information is routed through the signaling system 7 network (16) to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The call is routed to a terminating POP (26) and then to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The SSP (32) inserts the caller ID information received through the SS7 network (16) and routes the call to the terminating line (30).

Abstract: An optical fiber for information transmission contains a glass tube core wrapped in a sheath of conductive material attachable to a power source such as a battery or generator to transmit power via the conductive sheath of the fiber. Methods to transmit power via an optical fiber, together with fiber optic networks are described.

Abstract: Method and system of alerting callers of surcharges associated with making phone calls. The method and system relating to calls made between affiliated and non-affiliated providers wherein the surcharges are fees incurred in service calls therebetween. The fees may be flat-rate fees or other per phone call fees which are independent of call length, duration, etc. The fees may be charged by the non-affiliated provider and/or fees incurred by the affiliate provider in servicing such calls.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method (200) and apparatus (102, 108) are disclosed for monitoring network activity. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an activity notification system (ANS) (102) having a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110) for communicating with network elements (101) in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to monitor (202) network activities associated with a plurality of communication devices of an end user, generate (204) from the monitored activities an end user profile that predicts a behavior of the end user, and transmit (212, 222) a notice when a change in the monitored activities differs from a behavior predicted by the end user profile. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An efficient and effective system and method for screening calls is based upon user provided call screening preferences. The present embodiments utilize multiple types of information to effectively screen incoming and outgoing calls. The present embodiments also allow for the user to be notified of the calls that were screened.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: Optical fiber cable from a Central Office (CO) to a Service Area Interface (SAI) Optical Line Terminal (OLT) box may have a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber having at least one conductive sheath to can propagate an identifying signal. Optical fibers that emit a signal with identifying information, or other useful information, may be advantageous when, for example, the fiber optic cable holds fibers owned by more than one content or service provider. A further advantage may be that a signal may be designated to a particular address, thereby facilitating the installation of fiber optic service to a customer.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for routing a call to a landline communication unit or a wireless communication unit based on the availability of the wireless communication unit. A call placed to a landline communication unit is routed to the wireless communication unit if the wireless communication unit is determined available. Otherwise, the call is routed to the landline communication unit.

Abstract: An optical fiber for information transmission contains a glass tube core wrapped in a sheath of conductive material attachable to a power source such as a battery or generator to transmit power via the conductive sheath of the fiber. Methods to transmit power via an optical fiber, together with fiber optic networks are described.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A home office communication system (10) has a control and display system (16). A modern (12) is controlled by the control and display system (16) and connected to a telephone line (14). A multiplexer (18) is connected to the modem (12) and multiplexes a plurality of outgoing data streams in a predefined format and demultiplexes an incoming data stream from a modern (12). A speech encoding system (20) generates a plurality of speech packets to form one of the plurality of outgoing data streams. A telephone line control system (22) venerates a plurality of control packets forming one of the plurality of outgoing data streams and an information channel (24) forms one of the plurality of outgoing data streams.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a false caller ID. The system receives caller identification data and signaling system data from the call, compares the caller identification data to the signaling system data, and determines if the call has a false caller ID based on the comparison. The signaling system data may include signaling system 7 data. The system may also alert the intended recipient by modifying the properties of the call or by enacting a peripheral system to contact the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method of operating a virtual private network includes the steps of: (a) dialing a custom number; (b) receiving the custom number at a switch (20) of a first carrier; (c) routing the call to a switch (18) of a second carrier based on having received the custom number; and (d) when the call to the switch (18) of the second carrier includes a plain old telephone number translation of the customer number, routing the call over the second carrier to a service switching point (26) of a third carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to detect and block fax calls. An example method disclosed herein detects a fax call from a calling number; blocks the fax call if the calling number is associated with a caller to be blocked identified in a database and the fax call is sent to a subscriber; and attempts to identify a presence of a war-dialing technique.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for tracking data calls placed to or from a terminal of a call service subscriber using of an advanced intelligent network in real time in a communications network. A SDS query to an SCP in communication with a database is made when a specific trigger for a call assigned to a subscriber is detected. Call information and subscriber number data is extracted from the SDS query and saved in the database.

Abstract: A master database stores a speed dial list associated with a user of multiple telecommunications services. The database shares the speed dial list with the telecommunication services such that a single speed dial list serves all of the user's telecommunications services. The database receives speed dial list changes made through one of the telecommunications services and shares the speed dial list changes with the other telecommunications services that the speed dial list is maintained in synchronicity amongst the telecommunications services. As a result, the user does not have to manually keep separate speed dial lists synchronized nor does the user have to memorize or access separate speed dial lists. The speed dial list is locally accessible to the user by being stored on a user phone. The speed dial list is also remotely accessible to the user as the database receives user queries from the user via a user phone.