Abstract: A communication network (1) comprises a number of network nodes (2, 3, 4 and 5) linked together by transmission paths (6, 7 and 8). A network manager (9) controls acceptance of calls onto transmission paths by classifying an incoming call and selecting from the database (14) an appropriate mean to peak bit rate distribution. This selected distribution is then used with the monitored transmission path load to determine a posterior distribution which reflects the load. The decision to accept or reject the call is made on the basis of the posterior distribution by a call acceptance algorithm considering the effective bandwidth for example.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling traffic in selected links of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the use of variable price incentives. The number of selected PSTN links which are available for use are determined at a predetermined time through the use of an appropriate traffic measurement system. Thereafter, a customer usage rate is determined for the selected PSTN links. The determined rate corresponds to the number of selected links which are available for use. An electrical signal is generated for receipt by the user and which contains information corresponding to the determined customer usage rate.

Abstract: A telephone system adapted to provide preselected customer traffic data to preselected customers having customer facilities. The central office switch of the central office serving the preselected customers is adapted accumulate and identify preselected customer traffic data of customer facilities similarly to company traffic data of company facilities. The customer traffic data is accessed with the company traffic data by an Engineering and Administration Data Acquisition System of the telephone system which is adapted to transmit the preselected customer traffic data to a Network Usage Information Service processor associated with the central office serving the preselected customers. The Network Usage Information Service processor then transmits the received preselected customer traffic data to the corresponding preselected customers over the telephone system.

Abstract: A method for simulating an IDNX (integrated digital network exchange) network. Trunk and call information is downloaded from a network controller connected to the IDNX network to a personal computer. Call data is obtained defining each call placed over the network. Link data is also obtained describing the links over which the call is placed. The link data is arranged in two arrays, one defining a pointer based on the identity of connected nodes. The pointers point to a table which describes the link interconnecting the nodes. A call circuit table identifies each of the calls over the network. The call is placed on the model by debiting the in use bandwidth field of the table describing each link used in the call. Once calls are placed, an analysis of network performance is possible. Calls may be rerouted over the simulated model to evaluate different network configurations.

Abstract: A telephone exchange accommodates a plurality of lines in a primary group of an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), as well as a plurality of extension terminals, in which a plurality of channels constitute each line. Control is performed in such a manner that the status of a line of an extension terminal when this terminal is using one channel among the plurality thereof is indicated by lighting an Light Emitting Diode (LED) in the color green, the status of a line of an extension terminal when this terminal is not using any of the plurality of channels but all of these channels are being used by other terminals is indicated by lighting the LED in the color red, and the status of a line of an extension terminal when this terminal is not using any of the plurality of channels but some of these channels are being used by other terminals is indicated by flashing the LED in the color red.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the traffic carrying capacity of a telecommunications network having a plurality of elements and a plurality of routes connecting those elements to one another. The controlled congestion in the network is controlled by identifying and limiting defective devices and routes with exaggerated levels of congestion. Disturbance alarm levels are also adjusted to allow increased traffic through the network and the traffic within the network is reconfigured in real time in response to the occurrence of network events to optimize traffic capacity.

Abstract: A system for routing data and communications to one of a plurality of remote sites to promote reciprocal interaction among the remote sites. The system includes a central processing unit and a storage device to store a first set of data identifying a plurality of remote sites and a second set of data identifying the frequency at which each of the remote sites communicates with the system. The system selects a particular remote site to receive a particular communication by analyzing the second set of data. The system also contemplates a method of routing data and communications including the steps of storing routing data for identifying a plurality of remote sites and the frequency at which each of the remote sites communicates with a central processor, receiving a communication at the central processor, analyzing the routing data to select a particular remote site, and forwarding the communication to the selected remote site.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the pacing and processing of inbound calls and outbound calls. Statistics are generated concerning inbound calls and outbound calls, and concerning the performance of each agent for inbound calls and outbound calls. Separate statistics concerning inbound calls and outbound calls allow a more accurate prediction of call pacing and handling requirements and of the availability of an agent so as to maximize the productivity of each agent and control the on-hold time of inbound and outbound calls. Each trunk line is designated for inbound calls or outbound calls and the status of each trunk is monitored. If all of the trunks allocated to inbound service are in use then some of the trunks designated for outbound service are redesignated for inbound service. If more than a predetermined number of trunks designated for inbound service are not in use then some of these trunks will be redesignated for outbound service.

Abstract: An acceptable or desired plan for changing the links of a telephone network is developed by using knowledge based rules to generate an ideal plan which meets first constraints, such as demand and modernization constraints, and by modifying the ideal plan to meet one or more second constraints, such as overall cost, while deviating minimally from the ideal plan.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method of call control (gapping) and a communications switching system in which such method is implemented, the system incorporating a call gapping arrangement for limiting the recurrence rate of successive call attempts for a particular type of call, for example to a national phone-in number, the arrangement comprising a clock (10) for determining a succession of call gapping intervals; a first up/down counter (18) having a limit N; a signal generator (11) responsive to the clock and coupled to the counter (18) to increment it by a value m each interval; a second up/down counter (21) having a limit M less than N, the counters (18, 21) being responsive to call processing circuitry (14) to be decremented for each call attempt effected by the system: a comparator (15) responsive to the content of counter (21) becoming zero to inhibit the call processing circuitry (14) from allowing call attempts.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exchange system having an originating call restriction function comprising a unit for counting originating calls, a unit for counting incoming calls, a storage unit for storing a number (N.sub.o) or originating calls that can be accepted from accommodated subscribers (111) within a predetermined period, storage unit for storing a number (N.sub.i) of incoming calls that can be accepted within a predetermined period, and a unit for correcting the number of calls that can be accepted. The correction of the number of calls that can be accepted is effected by comparing the number (N.sub.i) of incoming calls that can be accepted and a number (N.sub.ai) of accepted incoming calls. When the difference between the number (N.sub.i) of incoming calls that can be accepted and the number (N.sub.ai) of accepted incoming calls is decreased below a predetermined value, the number (N.sub.o) of originating calls that can be accepted is decreased by a predetermined correcting value (.alpha.), and the number (N.

Abstract: Seizable, connection-associated switching devices of various types emit processing requests with different urgency degrees to a central sequential logic system for information which are to be processed with different urgency dependent on type. A limit value which may be set in an occupation rejection device based on the measure of a continuously-measured, momentary sequential logic system load serves as a comparison normal and effects that processing requests are rejected (accepted) when the urgency value is lower than (greater than) the limit value.

Abstract: A method of routing calls for a network of digital time-switched exchanges (A, B, C, D, E, F, D) interconnected by groups (18 to 28) of PCM time multiplex trunks, with each group ingterconnecting two exchanges. Each exchange establishes a utilization cost for each of the groups connected thereto. This cost is based on the busy fraction of the least busy trunk in the group of trunks under consideration and it is transmitted to all of the exchanges in the network in order to enable them to determine least cost paths for the calls that they are requested to set up.

Abstract: Information(s) to be processed for call set up, as well as for testing and maintenance are supplied to a switching unit. The former are prioritized. A loadability measuring circuit, which compares actual-loading with reference-loading during leveling longer period, short term fluctuations, and continuously sets an adjustment standard related to the inflow of information, which is pre-supplied to a corresponding counter, for continuing inflow measurement, then measures loading caused by information of both kinds, measures instead, average corresponding reduced reference-value dependent, reference-actual comparison, for the case where this loading is too high, only the loading dependent upon call set up information to be processed. The adjustment standard is only reduced when the latter loading is too high, it is increased instead when the latter loading, as well as the loading dependent upon both kinds of information is too low.

Abstract: A dynamic trunk compression system for processing digitized speech signals. The system includes a monitoring apparatus which measure current traffic intensity at the trunk. The current traffic intensity drives an algorithm that periodically estimates blocking probabilities. When the blocking probabilities fall outside of a predetermined range, the trunk is repartitioned to provide more speech channels.

Abstract: In order to avert overloads of control units for groups of subscriber-associated or call-associated switching devices, the data required for such purpose and pertaining to the traffic load are respectively acquired within one of such groups. These data are the occurring occupations of calling subscribers. A respective counter, provided per group, is incremented with such data, the counter being continuously deincremented, cyclically, and transmitting an overload signal upon attaining a limiting value. Occupations that directly lead to the formation of the overload signal are rejected. Therefore a prophetic overload defense is provided.

Abstract: For the purpose of averting overloads at control units for groups of subscriber-associated or call-associated switch devices, a counter is incremented with every occupation and deincremented cyclically. The counter emits an overload signal upon the attainment of a limiting value, the overload signal being forwarded to that switch device or being assigned in a memory shared by the switch device to that switch device from which the occupation signal that leads to the immediate attainment of the limiting value in the counter has arrived. The overload signal is formed in the time between occupation and the first selection character, leads to the emission of a corresponding audible character (busy signal) and prevents the acceptance of selection characters.