Abstract: This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his/her prepaid balance is below a pre-specified threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance o receiving multiple notifications when he/she is already aware of the problem.

Abstract: This invention relates to an enhanced method and apparatus for providing notification to a telecommunications customer using prepaid service that his/her prepaid balance is below a pre-specified threshold. The number of notifications is limited to a specified number within a specified interval. Advantageously, the customer is spared the nuisance o receiving multiple notifications when he/she is already aware of the problem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a connection to a customer telecommunications station, having Internet service, but not currently connected to the Internet. In response to receipt by the Internet of a call to that station, the station is located for the purpose of notifying the station of the call. If the called station is a wireless station, the paging message includes an indication that the page is for an Internet Protocol, (IP) telephone call. For wireline stations, other alerting techniques are used to indicate that a station is being called on an Internet call. In response to receiving the notification, the called station automatically logs on to the Internet, and is assigned a temporary Internet Protocol address, (IPA). A connection is then established between the access point of the caller on the Internet, and the access point of the called customer. Advantageously, an Internet subscriber need not be presently connected to the Internet to receive IP telephone calls.

Abstract: An arrangement for obtaining directory assistance automatically and without the assistance of an operator. A customer requesting directory assistance is connected to an automatic speech recognition unit (ASRU) and is prompted to speak commands for identifying the requested directory number. The ASRU converts received speech signals from the customer into data signals for searching a directory number data base. If a directory listing is located, the number of that listing is announced to the customer and the customer is automatically prompted to speak a command indicating whether a call to that number should be automatically established. The telecommunications switching network responds to a positive command by automatically establishing such a connection. Advantageously, such an arrangement provides directory assistance service automatically without requiring special customer equipment.

Abstract: A high capacity metropolitan area network (MAN) is described. Data traffic from users is connected to data concentrators at the edge of the network, and is tranmitted over fiber optic data links to a hub where the data is switched. The hub includes a plurality of data switching modules, each having a control means, and each connected to a distributed control space division switch. Advantageously, the data switching modules, whose inputs are connected to the concentrators, perform all checking and routing functions, while the 1024.times.1024 maximum size space division switch, whose outputs are connected to the concentrators, provides a large fan-out distribution network for reaching many concentrators from each data switching module.

Abstract: A high capacity metropolitan area network (MAN) is described. Data traffic from users is connected to data concentrators at the edge of the network, and is transmitted over fiber optic data links to a hub where the data is switched. The hub includes a plurality of data switching modules, each having a control means, and each connected to a distributed control space divisison switch. Advantageously, the data switching modules, whose inputs are connected to the concentrators, perform all checking and routing functions, while the 1024.times.1024 maximum size space division switch, whose outputs are connected to the concentrators, provides a large fan-out distribution network for reaching many concentrators from each data switching module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically detecting a trunk that is likely to be defective even though it passes operational tests incident to switching it into service. In a telephone system, such a trunk might, for example, be so noisy or ineffective for transmission that customers cannot communicate over that trunk. Resultingly, the trunk is likely to handle a much higher than normal number of calls with short holding times since the customers quickly discover that they cannot communicate and terminate the calls. The method is implemented via telephone call processing, memory lists, and a program routine integrated into the call disconnect sequences. It allows such defective trunks to be identified by the steps of: detecting all calls with short holding times, successively processing trunk identities which have a repetition of such short holding-time calls, and alerting the maintenance force when such trunks have been processed through several memory lists.