Abstract: A system identifies calling parties who are unable to successfully complete calls to a called party. Call attempt failure records are retrieved from a local exchange carrier that services the calling parties, from a local exchange carrier that services the called party, and from an interexchange carrier that carries calls between the two local exchanges. Call completion records are retrieved from the local exchange carrier serving the called party. The failure records are compared to the completion records to determine which calling parties experienced one or more failed call attempt to the called party, and of these calling parties, which parties also failed to complete subsequent call attempts to the called party. The system also reports the intensity of calls made by these parties to the called party over a specified time period.

Abstract: A method and system for the delivering bills to subscribers of wireless telecommunication services, and the subsequent retrieval of the same, using a voice mail system is disclosed. In an aspect of the invention, a bill is generated from billing information obtained from a billing center containing the call details of individual subscribers. The generated bill is translated into a format comprising synthesized speech message describing the bill specifics. Alternatively, the bill may be translated into a computer readable file capable of being downloading by a computer. The translated bill is stored in the subscriber's voice mailbox following which, a notification is sent to the subscriber to indicate its arrival. The bill can be subsequently retrieved by the subscriber by accessing the voice mailbox with either a phone or a computer. The invention permits cost effective and timely delivery of bills without having to rely on a third party for delivery.

Abstract: A system and method downloads data and reconfigures the data into a database. A telephone user purchases a specific number of lines and specific services (i.e., call waiting) from a telephone company. The telephony company then programs a switch associated with that user so that the user receives the services purchased. The telephone company also inserts the user's purchases into a database used for generating the user's bills. Discrepancies can occur between the data in the switch and the data in the billing database. Billing correction is performed by downloading all of the data within a switch, reconfiguring the data into a database and then comparing the switch database against the billing database to detect billing errors. To facilitate ease of this billing correction process, the switch database is transmitted to the billing correction center via a network instead of the traditional method of using direct tape copies of the switch being physically transported to the billing correction center.

Abstract: Telecommunications traffic is dynamically distributed at a telecommunications node among plural telecommunication routes. A current distribution of traffic is detected for both incoming routes and outgoing routes. Traffic is automatically redistributed among the outgoing routes based on the distribution currently detected for the corresponding incoming routes. More specifically, the detected amount of incoming traffic for a particular network operator, carrier, route bundles, or route is compared with the amount of outgoing traffic detected for a corresponding network operator, carrier, route bundle, or route at the switching point. Traffic is rerouted, in one example embodiment, so that each outgoing network operator, carrier, route bundle, or route receives its “fair” share of traffic based on how much traffic it is currently delivering to the node.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line communication system does not require the use of a plain old telephone service (POTS) splitter in the resident's home. Digital signal processing techniques are utilized to adapt to varying subscriber line conditions due to POTS telephone equipment. The digital signal processing techniques eliminate the need for a splitter by reducing susceptibility to distortion due to varying subscriber line characteristics. The digital subscriber line modem utilizes quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals and frequency division multiplexing. The digital subscriber line modem includes a control circuit which includes a rapid retrain circuit. The rapid retrain circuit can retrain the digital subscriber line modem in less than 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing phone calls in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), in order to identify Data Service Providers (as distinct from conventional telephone users). The system includes monitoring mechanism disposed at a first location (such as a central office or STP) for monitoring call routing messages directed to the first switch. A generating mechanism, responsive to the monitoring mechanism, is configured to generate a call record, which includes a plurality of call defining elements. An updating mechanism is configured to update a plurality of call records stored at a storage location with the call defining elements of the generated call record. Finally, an analyzing mechanism is provided and configured to analyze at least one of the call defining elements of the plurality of call records to identify Data Service Providers.

Abstract: Access by a subscriber (12) to a fee-based service is managed so that the subscriber, when qualified, receives the service. If the subscriber is found unqualified, then the subscriber is prompted to enter qualifying information, either in the form of the identity of a purchased product, or a bank credit card number. Once the subscriber is qualified, then the subscriber receives the service in the same manner as if he or she were initially found qualified.

Abstract: A data collection method and system is provided, by which blank time due to a time lag is not generated and a call probability to be broadcast can be calculated based on the number of potentially calling terminals which was counted as recently as possible. In the method, the center broadcasts to terminals a call probability and a control ID number which is increased by one for each broadcast. Each terminal calls up the center based on the received probability value, and if calling up, the terminal informs the center of terminal data and the received ID number. The center manages the probability value and the number of received calls for each ID.

Abstract: A parking manager manages calls to be parked and parking resources on one or more parking platforms, and can be used in a system that combines the functionalities of call parking and intelligent call routing. The parking manager provides management of parking resources and complete control of the call throughout the entire duration of the call. The parking manager makes a common pool of parking resources available to all customers, and thus increases the availability of parking resources at call center ACDs and other customer premise equipment.

Abstract: A system for processing outbound calls includes a system controller that controls the placement of an outbound call to a called number. The called number placed by the system controller has an associated country. The system includes a storage mechanism that stores multiple sets of call classification parameters. Each set of call classification parameters is associated with a particular country. A call classifier is coupled to the system controller and the storage mechanism. The call classifier can classify the result of the outbound call based on call classification parameters associated with the target country. The call classification parameters can include call progress tones associated with the country to which the outbound call was placed. The call classifier can also classify the answer status of the outbound call.

Abstract: Whenever there is an incoming call to a terminal accommodated by a terminating exchange, the terminating exchange creates incoming-call data, which contains at least the terminating subscriber's number, the originating subscriber's number and the communication time, and transmits the incoming-call basic data to a communication center. The communication center accumulates the incoming-call basic data and, in response to issuance of an output request, creates and outputs an incoming-call logging list for the requesting user on the basis of the incoming-call basic data. Further, secondary data, which includes at least the names and addresses of calling parties, is registered in a data base beforehand in correspondence with subscriber's numbers. The secondary data is combined with the incoming-call basic data to create incoming-call information, which is then stored in memory.

Abstract: A process and system is disclosed for determining automatically and dynamically the correct time segment during which a switch or components of a switch receive peak traffic from a communications network. The process collects traffic data regarding the usage of a selected switch or selected switch components. The traffic data is collected over a selected journalling period (e.g., 30 days), which is periodically updated with new traffic data to maintain a journal of the most recent 30 days of collected traffic data. Collected traffic data is filtered to remove aberrant or corrupting data. An average peak usage segment for all of the segments of the journalling period is selected from the remaining filtered traffic data. By regularly adding new data to and removing old data from the journal, the resulting moving window will reflect recent changes in peak usage. Regularly (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a telecommunications network through near real time analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) is provided. The system and method of the invention reports how a particular call service is performing and how its performance deteriorates as a result of any type of network event, including both hardware and software related events. A feature of the invention is that it provides several levels of service impact reporting, thus providing users with more versatile and detailed network management capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to establishing a communication channel between two communication systems having computer telephony integration (CTI). Many CTI systems are configured into incoming and outgoing lines according to the anticipated demands. Consequently, if sufficient outgoing or incoming capacity is unavailable at a given time to support a communication channel of required characteristics, the users of such a system must conventionally wait until sufficient capacity becomes available. However, the present invention determines who the intended addressee is and can instruct the CTI system associated with that addressee to instigate the establishment of a communication channel to the user who originally desired the connection. The instructions can be sent to the intended addressee using for example, another communication network, such as the Internet or other data communications network.

Abstract: A traffic measuring apparatus provided in an exchange measures traffic caused by call control for a plurality of terminals accommodated in the exchange. The traffic measuring apparatus includes a traffic measuring section for measuring traffic in accordance with a predetermined measuring method, a load measuring section for measuring a call control load, and a measuring method change control section for changing the measuring method used in the traffic measuring section to a different measuring method in accordance with the call control load measured by the load measuring section. Accordingly, it becomes possible to perform detailed traffic measurement, while minimizing the load acting on the call control.

Abstract: A data switching device includes a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device. The switch forms a permanent link connecting terminals permanently. A charge information management unit manages charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred via the permanent link. A control unit sends one of the terminals a notification message including the charge information according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging for the use of a telecommunication service, as well as to a switching system, a service control point and a network management facility. A service request is transmitted from a subscriber (A) via a telecommunication network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider. A charge unit (BILL) of the network operator administers the charge collection for the use of the telecommunication service. The service-providing unit (SAPP1) provides the requested telecommunication service only after receipt of a confirmation message from a authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator. The charge message (M6) with data relating to a charge for using the telecommunication service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL) and the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge after the confirmation message has been received.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for rehome optimization of a telecommunications network. Optimal network configurations are determined according to automatically derived attributes associated with granulations of elements in the network called rehome circuit groups (RCGs). RCGs are automatically derived from the telecommunications network. RCGs are definable as a rehoming set of one or more circuits in the network. Optimal network configurations satisfy specified constraints and are calculated in accordance with cost objectives. Constraints include rehoming RCGs on criteria of having a relationship with other RCGs in the network and how to treat certain RCGs in the rehome process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring stations from a monitoring terminal wherein at least one of the monitored stations is served by a different switch than that serving the monitoring station. Changes of status are reported by a monitored station to the switch serving the monitored station and, if that switch is not the switch serving the monitoring station, the switch serving the monitored station transmits a common channel signaling (CCS) signaling system 7 (SS7) message to the switch serving the monitoring terminal. Advantageously, this permits an attendant at the monitoring terminal to serve users not connected to the switch serving the monitoring terminal.

Abstract: An intelligent configuration system automatically logs a sample of a PBX Call Detail Recording (CDR) message. The sample CDR messages are sent via modem from a local call accounting system connected to the PBX to a central configuration server. The configuration server analyzes the sample CDR messages to determine the PBX type. The appropriate PBX interface file for the identified PBX type is transmitted back to the call accounting system and used by the accounting system to interpret and price CDR messages output from the PBX into call accounting and traffic analysis reports. Identification and location data is transmitted from the accounting system to the configuration server. The configuration server uses the data to automatically transmit and update rate tables used in the accounting system.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting mass addressing events comprising a first register, a second register, a first counter, and a second counter is disclosed. Potential mass addressing events are detected by comparing a most recently selected address to the contents of the first register and incrementing the first counter if they are equal, or loading the most recently selected address into the first register and initializing the first counter if they are unequal. If the first counter's count reaches a first count threshold, the contents of the first register are compared to the contents of the second register and the second counter is incremented if they are equal, or, if they are unequal, the contents of the first register are loaded into the second register and the second counter is initialized. If the second counter's count reaches a second count threshold, an alarm is issued.

Abstract: A method of, and a system for, detecting possible fraudulent use of a telecommunications network. Call event records, both call initiation and call completion records, are examined. A call record has a number of key fields, e.g. called number, calling number, calling card number, and for each field in turn the key is used to access a database containing an associated set of profiles. Each profile contains an algorithm defining a measurement process to be performed on the call data, e.g. determine the call duration. The respective process results are added to a respective set of stores associated with each profile, and an alarm response is generated when a threshold of a store is reached. An additional process for e.g. a call duration of e.g. called number card calling number key fields, convert the process results to penalty points which are added to a penalty points store associated with the calling card number key of the call event record under examination.

Abstract: High usage lines in a telecommunications system must be detected to avoid local areas of high call blockage. Such high usage lines are frequently lines that originate or receive data calls. The presence of a data call is detected by testing for a signal, such as a tone, on the call connection after an answer signal has been detected, and testing to see if the duration of the call exceeds some predetermined quantity. Lines which originate or receive data calls exceeding the predetermined quantity are then monitored to measure their usage. Advantageously, many high usage lines can be detected by monitoring only the relatively few lines that originate or receive data calls.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing actual availability of a long-haul path in a telecommunications network. The present invention subdivides the long-haul path into distinct modular components and determines availability for each modular component of the long-haul path. A composite end-to-end availability figure is determined by summing the modular component availabilities. The present invention comprises a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of interconnected switches to carry and route telecommunications traffic among customer endpoints, and an entry and exit gateway for performing protocol conversion from one communication network to another. A network management system is connected to the interconnected switches in the telecommunications network via control links, for monitoring availability for the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method for implementing all blocking controls in a telecommunications system supporting ported directory numbers comprises initializing each switch with a call blocking control. In the preferred embodiment, ported directory numbers are identified, and a number portability data base is accessed to aid in determining whether the call blocking control applies to the ported directory number. If the ported directory number is not subject to the implemented call blocking control, the ported directory number is exempted.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking call transaction data from incoming telephone calls, including attempted calls that have not been completed, made to individual predetermined subscribers during a defined time period. Information, including demographic breakdowns of calls, such as time of day, day of week, location of origin, etc. is reported automatically by the system. Through the use of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) platform, call transaction data for incoming calls are captured in response to terminating triggers at Service Switching Points (SSPs). The call originating phone number for each call may be used to access an existing telephone system billing database, called Customer Record Information System (CRIS), to obtain caller information, including zip code. The zip code, in turn, can be used to access a commercially available census data base to provide further demographic information.

Abstract: A subscriber A accommodated in an SSP is connected to a terminal to which a telephone number is assigned by a number conversion service. The communication state of the converted telephone number becomes in a busy state, and a corresponding SSP number is written in a management table arranged in an SCP. If a fault occurs in the SSP, all of the calls to which a subscriber accommodated in the SSP is connected, are released. Once the SSP is restored from the fault, it notifies the SCP of the SSP number identifying the SSP together with a message notifying that the SSP is restored from the fault. The SCP searches for a management table using the SSP number received from the SSP, and changes all of the communication states of converted telephone numbers corresponding to the corresponding SSP number to an idle state.

Abstract: Information on the usage of memory mapped equipment in a telephone switching office can be continuously and non-invasively obtained by monitoring activity on the address, data, and control lines of the computer controlling such equipment. By counting the number of times a circuit is accessed by a computer, as determined by the detection of address, data, and control values for the circuit, equipment usage can be objectively determined. Further, a display device can be attached to an input/output port of a telephone office equipment monitor to provide a graphical representation of data obtained using the display device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and gate arrangement for controlling traffic in a telecommunications system. The rate of occurrence of the units, such as calls, transmitted is restricted to a certain predetermined threshold value when their rate of occurrence exceeds the value. In order that it might be possible to better approximate an ideally operating gapping gate, when a new call arrives, an average value of the interval between two consecutive calls is computed on the basis of the earlier accepted calls only, and the call is accepted, if the average value computed is at least the same as the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the traffic rates of large traffic sources is provided. A class of a most recently selected address is compared to the contents of a register. If the class is the same as the contents of the register, a first counter is incremented; otherwise, the class is loaded into the register and the first counter is initialized. A class of a new most recently selected address is then obtained and the above process repeated. If the count of the first counter reaches a predetermined threshold, a threshold counter associated with the class is incremented and the first counter and register are reset. A different threshold counter is associated with each different class. After a predetermined time period, the traffic rate for a class may be computed from the count of the threshold counter associated with the class.

Abstract: An improved rare probability connection call registration method using an incomplete call causation message for an asynchronous transfer mode switching system, which includes the steps of receiving a candidate code from an operator and classifying a normal call and an abnormal call with respect to each call when a call cause message is received, increasing the number of completed calls when the received call is normally completed, and judging whether an incomplete call occurred due to the lack of a switching resource or the busy state of the subscriber at a destination in the case of the abnormal call, terminating the call when the cause of the abnormal call is due to another cause except for the lack of the switching resource, or the on-busy of the subscriber, increasing the number of the incomplete calls when the call is incompletely terminated due to the lack of the switching resource or the on-busy of the subscriber, and checking the call completion ratio, and terminating the call when the call completion

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing propagation delay based on factors in addition to the propagation delay associated with a selected circuit, in order to provide a more accurate propagation delay value associated with a communication transaction. Factors to be assessed include the propagation delays associated with a particular bearer service involved in the communication transaction, a type of information being transmitted, any supplementary peripheral equipment involved with the communication transaction, any transmission media involved with the call, and/or any combination of these factors in a communication transaction.

Abstract: Delay-tolerant calls access slack capacity in a telecommunications network under variable pricing controlled by the network so as to permit the network to pick up or stimulate background traffic loads as and when desired to gain revenue from background idle capacity.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a number of approaches in which a virtual homing to overcome outages can be achieved whereby a single terminating destination or an egress node can be formed from multiple terminating switches that would allow the network to route calls based on the capacity, economics or survivability of those switches to accept the call. A first network processor (NP) approach includes a number of methods that relies on the processor of the dynamic control routing (DCR) network, and the switch based routing that directs a call to the appropriate terminating node. A second approach of the instant invention is based on the data access point (DAP) of the network. This DAP approach utilizes the intelligence of the network and requires that all call queries be directed to the DAP for locating the appropriate terminating switch for routing the call.

Abstract: In a telephone network having a number of telephone switching offices which have CCS7 signalling capabilities and wherein each switching office is linked to STPs (Signalling Transfer Points), or other switching offices with CCS7 signalling links, a method of detecting mass calling events using CCS7 signalling data is disclosed. Each signalling link connecting a switch is monitored. For each call, an Initial Address Message sent from an originating switch to a terminating switch is identified. The IAM is then temporarily stored in storage means. When the occurrence of a release message indicative of an unsuccessful call attempt is detected, an identification of which of the stored IAMs corresponds to the release message is made. A count is computed for each directory (DN) having an IAM with a corresponding release message indicative of an unsuccessful call attempt such that mass calling events directed to a directory number can be detected.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network of the kind which handles non-time-critical calls (NTCC) in addition to normal telephony, a congestion indication is transmitted to NTCC transmitting platforms if volume and/or rate limit for a particular communications route or switch is exceeded. Transmitting platforms (9,10,11) establish a transmission rate based on a gapping ration (GR). On receipt of a congestion signal the platforms calculate and Inter call delay based on a random number multiplied by a weighting factor determined from the current value of GR. This provides a period during which calls are not attempted after which GR is adjusted using a common ratio to provide a higher value of GR thus transmission rate (or the rate at which calls are offered) to the congestion route is less onerous. Consecutive call failures result in a rapid increase in the value of GR leading to longer ICDs (to allow the congested route/switch to recover) and a lower traffic loading on recovery.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider. The use of the local loop is leased to the ultimate service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage and nature of usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by providing on the local loop a passive monitor. The monitor detects and temporarily stores data relating to the commencement and termination of the signaling, the time of day, and the nature of the signaling that occurs. Data collected from the monitors is stored at a monitor center from which it is transferred to a billing operation such as the telephone company Revenue Accounting Office (RAO). Switching is provided to permit optional usage of the loop by either the telephone company of the alternate service provider or both.

Abstract: A system for generating an exception report for a particular problem based on call traffic. The system maintains a count of occurrences for that problem, happening within a sliding window of call traffic volume. When the count exceeds a threshold value, the system generates the exception report whereby appropriate action may be initiated to correct the problem.

Abstract: A system and method for the switches of a telecommunications network to create and transport a network call identifier (NCID) which uniquely identifies a telephone call as it traverses through a telecommunications network. Upon receipt of a telephone call in a switch, the switch first determines whether it has received an NCID with the telephone call. If the switch received an NCID, the switch determines whether it is a valid NCID and should be transported with the telephone call. If the received NCID should not be transported, the switch discards the received NCID and creates a new NCID for the telephone call. Alternatively, upon the receipt of a telephone call, if the switch determines that a NCID was not received, the switch determines if an NCID should be created. The switch creates an NCID if it determines that an NCID should be created for the telephone call. If the NCID is created or kept, the switch stores the NCID in an appropriate call record that contains information about the telephone call.

Abstract: A system and method monitors a wireless network such that degradation of performance, as measured by such performance parameters as data throughput and service availability is estimated accurately on a real time basis. The system and method scan each cell in a wireless telecommunications network for cell statistics data. Using the scanned cell statistics data, the system and method generate a model of the performance of the telecommunications network by modeling each cell in the network. The model is based on a control system relationship. Using the control system relationship, the system and method forecast the performance of the cells between actual data collection times. Forecasting the state of the cells reduces the amount of data required to monitor the telecommunications network.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network application is provided for collecting and recording cumulative call data to a subscriber's telephone number. The subscriber may receive monthly reports regarding incoming telephone traffic with the data formatted according to one or more of the following categories: total calls for the reporting period; quantity of calls by day of month; quantity of calls by hour of day; quantity of calls by local area and exchange (i.e., NPA-NXX); quantity of calls by Zip Code+4; and quantity of calls by demographic code. The report may also provide the subscriber with, e.g., a record of incoming local exchange telephone traffic.

Abstract: A method of managing the overloading of calls directed to a single telephone number. The method enables Service Control Point to service calls a small percentage of the time during measurement intervals in order to receive Termination Notification messages. The Service Control Point then determines, from the contents of the Termination Notification messages for each measurement interval, the rate of attempted calls and the fraction of the total calls that were incomplete, (i.e., erroneous or received a busy signal) for a telephone number n, and invokes Automatic Code Gapping for the number n where both the attempted call rate and the incomplete calls exceed a predetermined threshold. If the threshold continues to be exceeded in subsequent measurement intervals, a larger gap interval for the Automatic Code Gapping can be set, and the process repeated until the proper gap is found.

Abstract: A work-at-home telecommunication service is provided in code and a dialed number to initiate a call. The call is suspended and a query is sent to a service control point after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number. The query includes the dialed number and a calling party identification number. A response to the query is formed using the service control point by translating the dialed number to a called party identification number, and by modifying the calling party identification number to an identification number of a group associated with the calling party. The response includes the called party identification number, the calling party identification number, and a carrier identification code which identifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with the calling party. The call is routed to the called party using the telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code.

Abstract: An ISDN exchanger can reduce processing of layer 3 on layer 2 processing to the utmost, and control call congestion with only the layer 2 processing, practically. The ISDN exchanger for regulating call congestion includes a call processing means for processing a call control data or message in an ISDN system as internal processing and a regulating means provided at the previous stage of the call processing means for judging whether or not the number of receiving calls exceeds a prescribed value, and regulating call set up requests without the internal processing when the number of received call set up requests exceeds the prescribed value.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking call transaction data from incoming telephone calls, including attempted calls that have not been completed, made to individual predetermined subscribers during a defined time period. Information, including demographic breakdowns of calls, such as time of day, day of week, location of origin, etc. is reported automatically by the system. Through the use of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) platform, call transaction data for incoming calls are captured in response to terminating triggers at Service Switching Points (SSPs). The call originating phone number for each call may be used to access an existing telephone system billing database, called Customer Record Information System (CRIS), to obtain caller information, including zip code. The zip code, in turn, can be used to access a commercially available census data base to provide further demographic information.

Abstract: A method and device for performing a charging operation during data communication in a data switching network such as a public packet exchange, a public frame relay switching network, or an ATM switching network. A charge rate is graduated in accordance with a data transmission delay time or an equipment use when an alternate route is formed because of a certain state or an equipment failure in a network. Improved service is provided. When data communication is performed in a data switching network, facility use in a network ranging from an originating node to a receiving node is examined when the occasion demands. When the originating node receives the intra-network facility use information together with transmission completion report information from the receiving node, delay time to transfer data from the originating node to the receiving node, is measured.

Abstract: A destination telecommunication switch receives a request to establish a call to a first party served by the switch. The request includes call type data that identifies the party originating the call request as one of a plurality of call categories. A first record associated with the first party is read from a database. The first record includes at least one set of data which defines a call category and a corresponding call processing technique to be utilized for the call category. The switch processes the incoming call in accordance with the predetermined call category handling if the incoming call is identified by call category data in the database.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for monitoring the performance of a multi-line automated telephone system and detecting complete or intermittent faults on the incoming phone lines and in interactive applications accessed by the automated telephone device. The system gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with each incoming phone line and compares the parameters with those of other phone lines and with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance lines. The system also gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with the execution of various applications and compares the parameters with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance accesses to the applications.

Abstract: To provide a complete picture of the calling pattern of calls placed to a destination entity which permits the destination entity's routing plan to be adequately administered, a) information is collected about all call attempts to particular, specified dialed numbers even before they are switch routed, including even calls terminated before a network control point (NCP) returns instructions as to where to route the call and, if applicable, after they are rerouted and b) the collected information is periodically delivering as it becomes available, for use by the destination entity, without requiring the calls being monitored to have been terminated. Thus, for example, information is collected about calls being held by the NCP in a queue even before the calls are NCP routed. The collected information also includes information for calls that were never routed, because they were terminated before routing, independent of whether they were placed in a queue.

Abstract: In a private branch exchange having an optimum route selecting function of selecting an optimum route by taking the destination, day of the week, time zone, permissive class of the extension terminal and the like into consideration when a call originating request from the extension terminal is generated, adequately processing dial number and outputting the same to an outgoing line so as to use the route, the route is selected by taking usage rates of the respective routes into consideration. Further, in the route selecting process, the route is selected by taking communication time (estimated value) into consideration.