Abstract: In order to provide a survey that reflects details of a communication session between two parties, content of an established communication session between the parties is monitored. One or more topics in the content of the communication session are identified. For example, a voice communication between a customer and a call center agent can be monitored to identify a specific topic, such as a discussion about car insurance. Based on the identified topic, a survey is generated by incorporating the topic into the survey. For example, the survey can include a question regarding the customer's car insurance of his four wheel drive SUV, which was discussed during the call. The survey is then presented to or sent to a party of the communication session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting an appliance device with an intelligent personal assistant. Exemplary methods include: receiving, by the appliance device, an identifier for a called party; initiating a voice call using the received identifier; monitoring audio of the voice call; determining the monitored audio includes a predetermined wake word; beginning communications with the intelligent personal assistant, the communications including at least a portion of the monitored audio, the portion of the monitored audio comprising a request for the intelligent personal assistant; receiving a result from the intelligent personal assistant, the result being responsive to the request; receiving indicia that the voice call is over from at least one of the called party and a calling party; and terminating the voice call using the indicia.

Abstract: Techniques for managing notifications to be presented by user devices are described. In an example, a computer system associates a first user account with a user device and stores first data indicating that a notification about a communications session via a communications network system is prohibited. The computer system receives a request associated with the first user account for communications with another device via the communications network system. Based at least in part on the other device, the computer system generates second data indicating that the notification about the communications session is to be presented within a period of time of the communications session being requested. The computer system associates the first user account with the second data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow entities set up and send targeted calls and other communications over a network.

Abstract: A display device operating method, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving a voice command of a user; storing the voice command, if a function of the display device corresponding to the received voice command is not stored and the voice command is received at reference frequency or more; and if the voice command is received again, performing a function of the display device corresponding to the voice command received again.

Abstract: Techniques for use condition for a geographic phone number are described. According to various implementations, techniques described herein enable a policy pertaining to the use of a geographic phone number to be enforced, such as to prevent unpermitted use of the geographic phone number.

Abstract: A speech-based system includes a local device in a user premises and a remote service that uses the local device to conduct speech dialogs with a user. The local device may also be directed to play audio such as music, audio books, etc. When designating audio for playing by the local device, the remote service may specify that the audio is either background audio or foreground audio. For background audio, the service indicates whether the background audio is mixable. For foreground audio, the service indicates an interrupt behavior. When the local device is playing background audio and receives foreground audio, the background audio is paused, attenuated, or not changed based on the indicated interrupt behavior of the foreground audio and whether the background audio has been designated as being mixable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for implementing freshness-sensitive message delivery are disclosed. A stream of events including an earlier event and a later event is received. A first attempt is performed to deliver a message indicative of the earlier event. The first attempt to deliver the message is unsuccessful. One or more additional attempts are scheduled to deliver the message indicative of the earlier event. The additional attempts are scheduled over a period of time following the first attempt. An attempt is performed to deliver an additional message indicative of the later event. The attempt to deliver the additional message is not delayed by the additional attempts to deliver the message.

Abstract: A system and method for incremental do-not-disturb. User input is received to activate the incremental do-not-disturb on a telephone. The incremental do-not-disturb is activated for a time period in response to receiving the user input to activate the incremental do-not-disturb. Incoming calls are diverted during the time period in response to activating the incremental do-not-disturb.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers are provided. The systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media include receiving an instruction to place the plurality of calls with the common message to the plurality of subscribers. The instruction includes call information that identifies the plurality of subscribers. One of the plurality of auto-dialers for placing each of the plurality of calls based on the call information is determined, and an instruction is transmitted to each of the plurality of auto-dialers based on results of the determination. The plurality of auto-dialers places the plurality of calls to the plurality of subscribers based on the instruction transmitted to each of the plurality of auto-dialers.

Abstract: In a network having a plurality of subscriber devices, a plurality of base stations and a server, a system and method of modifying policy settings are provided. Each base station transmits wirelessly across a geographic region. A subscriber device, capable of roaming between regions, establishes a wireless link with the server via the base stations. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The server updates the policy based on requests from subscriber devices. The determination of whether to update the policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked. Alternatively, the policy can be updated according to a trust policy maintained on the server respective to the subscriber device making the request; the trust policy represents the procedure to follow when a request is received from that subscriber device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message. Subsequent incoming calls from the calling telephone number are characterized as undesirable and are screened from alerting or otherwise establishing a communications connection to the called telephone number.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system configured to provide a connection between a caller and a callee via a telephone network, wherein the telephone network is configured to connect the caller and the callee, a method for allowing the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee. The method includes receiving an instruction from the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee and identifying a first telephone number associated with the caller. The method also includes preventing one or more phone calls from the first telephone number from being forwarded to a second telephone number associated with the callee.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining the maximum achievable data rate on a DSL line, up to and including a rate to which a user subscribes is described. Performance monitoring is conducted on the DSL line on an ongoing basis to determine noise margins in each direction. Each noise margin is compared against pre-determined decreasing/increasing thresholds to determine whether the line characteristics dictate a data rate change without loss of synchronization. The invention supports dynamic provisioning changes including application driven service level change requests, e.g., new bandwidth-on demand services. In some embodiments, a combination of existing and new embedded operations channel (EOC) messages are used to implement the modem data rate changes. New EOC messages may be implemented using some of the reserved and/or vendor proprietary Opcodes currently permitted. Modem assigned data rate changes are implemented without a disruption of service, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message. Subsequent incoming calls from the calling telephone number are characterized as undesirable and are screened from alerting or otherwise establishing a communications connection to the called telephone number.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system configured to provide a connection between a caller and a callee via a telephone network, wherein the telephone network is configured to connect the caller and the callee, a method for allowing the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee. The method includes receiving an instruction from the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee and identifying a first telephone number associated with the caller. The method also includes preventing one or more phone calls from the first telephone number from being forwarded to a second telephone number associated with the callee.

Abstract: A communications system for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers via a public switched telephone network is provided. The communications system includes an end office switch disposed in an end office and in communication with the public switched telephone network. The communications system further includes an auto-dialer disposed in the end office and interconnected with the end office switch for placing the plurality of calls to the plurality of subscribers via the end office switch.

Abstract: In a network having a plurality of subscriber devices, a plurality of base stations and a server, a system and method of modifying policy settings are provided. Each base station transmits wirelessly across a geographic region. A subscriber device, capable of roaming between regions, establishes a wireless link with the server via the base stations. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The server updates the policy based on requests from subscriber devices. The determination of whether to update the policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked. Alternatively, the policy can be updated according to a trust policy maintained on the server respective to the subscriber device making the request; the trust policy represents the procedure to follow when a request is received from that subscriber device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message. Subsequent incoming calls from the calling telephone number are characterized as undesirable and are screened from alerting or otherwise establishing a communications connection to the called telephone number.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system configured to provide a connection between a caller and a callee via a telephone network, wherein the telephone network is configured to connect the caller and the callee, a method for allowing the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee. The method includes receiving an instruction from the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee and identifying a first telephone number associated with the caller. The method also includes preventing one or more phone calls from the first telephone number from being forwarded to a second telephone number associated with the callee.

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: The present invention provides a system and method of modifying policy settings in a network having a plurality of subscriber devices. An embodiment includes a plurality of base stations, each capable of wirelessly transmitting across a geographic region and a server. A cell-phone, capable of roaming between regions, is operable to establish a wireless link with the base stations and through the base stations, with the server. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The communication policy is updated, by the server, based on requests from the subscriber devices. Once a request is received from a subscriber device, the determination whether to update the communication policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked.

Abstract: A method of implementing call compliance at a central facility through account specific access, the method involving: receiving a call from a caller on an incoming connection; obtaining and verifying account information; enabling the caller on the incoming connection to initiate an outgoing call on an outgoing connection depending on account information; receiving over the incoming connection an identifier of a destination to which a call is to be initiated over the outgoing connection; checking a do-not-call database for an indication of whether the destination is a do-not-call destination; if it is determined that the destination is a do-not-call destination, blocking the outgoing call from taking place over the outgoing connection; and if it is determined that the destination is not a do-not-call destination, allowing the outgoing call to take place over the outgoing connection.

Abstract: A method of screening a call from a calling party to a called party, the calling party being connected to a communication network through a first line, the called party being connected to said communication network through a second line, includes sending a notification to a screening terminal which is connected to the communication network through a third line other than the second line when a voice message is being recorded by the calling party in a voice mailbox associated with the called party.

Abstract: A system and method for automated customer feedback allows for automatically collecting and analyzing customer feedback data regarding customer satisfaction and customer task completion with respect to self-service applications and live agents. When contacting a customer service center, customers provide one or more customer tasks. The customers are routed within the customer service center based on the customer task and/or one or more customer characteristics. While interacting with the customer service center, the customers are automatically asked one or more specific survey questions relating to the customers' interaction with the customer service center and the customers' satisfaction levels. The customers provide one or more survey responses to the survey questions. The survey responses are recorded and analyzed in order to modify and update the customer service center and the survey questions in order to increase customer satisfaction and increase customer task completion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that predict behaviors of alerting and filtering systems based on simulation from messaging logs. By logging contextual information, such as the presence, activity, and availability of users, as well as incoming messages and their properties, forecasting services can be created that serve to provide users with an interactive “what if” capability, informing them what they might expect in terms of future behaviors of an automated message alerting and/or filtering system, based on recent messaging histories. A log of the history of incoming messages and contextual data is examined by modeling and simulation tools. The tools reveal the influence of alternate settings on the system's behavior, in response to an expected stream of incoming messages, providing users with insights about how control settings affect alerting, filtering, or routing behaviors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of modifying policy settings in a network having a plurality of subscriber devices. An embodiment includes a plurality of base stations, each capable of wirelessly transmitting across a geographic region and a server. A cell-phone, capable of roaming between regions, is operable to establish a wireless link with the base stations and through the base stations, with the server. The network contains a communication policy determining from which other communication devices a subscriber device can receive voice calls. The communication policy is updated, by the server, based on requests from the subscriber devices. Once a request is received from a subscriber device, the determination whether to update the communication policy can be based on a record of rejections respective to the caller requested to be blocked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of telephone numbers for IP telephones in offices to be assigned to different persons by (1) assigning one of the offices to one of the persons upon a request from the one of persons; (2) accessing a physical network address for an IP telephone located in the assigned one of the offices; (3) obtaining a telephone number for the one of the persons; (4) determining from the accessed physical network address an IP address of the IP telephone; (5) transmitting a message having the telephone number and IP address to a telecommunication switching system to which the IP telephone is interconnected; and (6) assigning the telephone number to the IP address by the telecommunication switching system in response to the message thereby assigning the telephone number to the IP telephone.

Abstract: Real time detection of the fraudulent use of a telecommunications network is accomplished by analyzing data for each call that is occurring within the network. A signal protocol receiver is used to collect signaling protocol for each call that is occurring within the network. The signaling protocol data is collected, decoded and formatted into call information records (CIRs). The CIRs contain various operator specified parameters for each call that is occurring within the network. The CIRs are compared to operator defined thresholds. If any of the CIRs exceeds the thresholds, an alert is generated. The alerts are stored in a database where the operator can analyze them and take the appropriate corresponding action to resolve the alert. The alerts and the CIRs are archived in a database so that trends of fraudulent use can be detected and prevented. This method of fraud detection provides for the effective analysis of every call that is occurring within the network.

Abstract: A menu routing service routes calls made to a customer's toll-free number according to customized routing instructions. A service provider establishes service parameters, which include the toll-free number and a restriction associated with at least one of the customer and the service provider. To customize call routing, a web server receives instructions from the customer to associate the toll-free number with a terminating number, such as a directory number or switch ID and trunk group numbers. When the restriction prohibits the association, the web server determines whether the service parameters further include an override indicator associated with the customer that overrides the restriction. The toll-free number is associated with the terminating number when service parameters include the override indicator.

Abstract: Controlling use of a telephone line includes receiving a specification from a first entity that defines one or more supervisory controls on use of a controlled telephone line by a second entity. The supervisory controls specify people with whom the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line, and times at which the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line. An indication of desired communications between the second entity and a third entity at a particular time over the controlled telephone line is received. A determination is made as to whether the desired communications are consistent with the specified supervisory controls. The desired communications are controlled when the desired communications are not consistent with the specified supervisory controls. In addition, the supervisory controls enable the first entity to interrupt existing calls over the controlled telephone line.

Abstract: A telecommunications service controls and monitors telephone calls by storing at a service control point (SCP) restricted telephone numbers and priority telephone numbers. Upon receiving call data relating to a call between a subscriber telephone number and an outside telephone number, the SCP determines whether the outside telephone number matches the restricted or priority telephone numbers. When the outside telephone number matches a restricted telephone number, the call is terminated and the SCP stores the call data. When the outside telephone number does not match a restricted telephone number, or matches a priority telephone number, the call is connected. The SCP transmits stored call data to a service management system, which is accessible by the subscriber via the Internet or an interactive voice response, for generating reports. The service further includes time schedules for implementing call restrictions and personal identification number for bypassing call restrictions.

Abstract: Real time detection of the fraudulent use of a telecommunications network is accomplished by analyzing data for each call that is occurring within the network. A signal protocol receiver is used to collect signaling protocol for each call that is occurring within the network. The Signaling protocol data is collected, decoded and formatted into call information records (CIRs). The CIRs contain various operator specified parameters for each call that is occurring within the network. The CIRs are compared to operator defined thresholds. If any of the CIRs exceeds the thresholds, an alert is generated. The alerts are stored in a database where the operator can analyze them and take the appropriate corresponding action to resolve the alert. The alerts and the CIRs are archived in a database so that trends of fraudulent use can be detected and prevented. This method of fraud detection provides for the effective analyzation of every call that is occurring within the network.

Abstract: Controlling use of a telephone line includes receiving a specification from a first entity that defines one or more supervisory controls on use of a controlled telephone line by a second entity. The supervisory controls specify people with whom the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line, and times at which the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line. An indication of desired communications between the second entity and a third entity at a particular time over the controlled telephone line is received. A determination is made as to whether the desired communications are consistent with the specified supervisory controls. The desired communications are controlled when the desired communications are not consistent with the specified supervisory controls. In addition, the supervisory controls enable the first entity to interrupt existing calls over the controlled telephone line.

Abstract: Methods to identify inter-carrier telephone calls in a telephone system that are being mis-routed in such a way as to violate existing regulatory tariffs and/or established inter-carrier contracts. The common name for this manipulation is “arbitrage”, and the intent of the perpetrators is to take advantage of lower rates associated with the delivery of telephone traffic via other routes. Through the processes of collecting call detail records and their correlation in representative embodiments, various call “legs” associated with the same call can be identified, and a more accurate “compound” call record can be made that incorporates call routing information obtained from the individual call legs. A statistical analysis can then be performed to more clearly illuminate any arbitrage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to perform a telecommunication between a caller terminal and a callee terminal identified by an identification code, such as a phone number. Method wherein it comprises the steps of: collecting routing information related to the identification code of the callee, after entering said code at the caller's terminal and before activating the telecommunication or establishing the telecommunication link, then displaying at least a part of said collected routing information at the caller's end, for example directly on the caller terminal and finally either activating the telecommunication in order to establish the telecommunication link corresponding to the entered code or cancelling the current attempt to establish a telecommunication link based on said dialed code.

Abstract: A telecommunications service controls and monitors telephone calls by storing at a service control point (SCP) restricted telephone numbers and priority telephone numbers. Upon receiving call data relating to a call between a subscriber telephone number and an outside telephone number, the SCP determines whether the outside telephone number matches the restricted or priority telephone numbers. When the outside telephone number matches a restricted telephone number, the call is terminated and the SCP stores the call data. When the outside telephone number does not match a restricted telephone number, or matches a priority telephone number, the call is connected. The SCP transmits stored call data to a service management system, which is accessible by the subscriber via the Internet or an interactive voice response, for generating reports. The service further includes time schedules for implementing call restrictions and personal identification number for bypassing call restrictions.

Abstract: A method and system of processing a call from a calling party to a called party are provided to enable selective call waiting which involves determining whether the called party is busy on another call; receiving a password from the calling party; and providing a call waiting signal to the called party only if the password corresponds to at least one predefined password associated with the called party.

Abstract: A method and system include restricting destinations of a telephone call from a calling station, which has been assigned a privilege class. A service control point (SCP) stores blocking tables, based on privilege classes, and a privilege class control table, which associates the blocking tables with each privilege class. The SCP ascertains the assigned privilege class of the calling station and determines whether the telephone call corresponds to one of the types of blocking tables. When the telephone call does correspond, the SCP determines whether the assigned privilege class corresponds to the blocking table that corresponds to the attempted call. When there is no privilege class correspondence, the SCP bypasses validation of the called number. When there is privilege class correspondence, the SCP validates the called number and blocks the call when the called number is validated or continues call processing when the called number is not validated.

Abstract: An elapsed time reminder system for a telecommunication network provides elapsed time reminder service to a party participating in a call in the network. A call state processing component processes requests for elapsed time reminder service from the requesting party. An elapsed time reminder interval may be specified by a requesting party, or a default interval may be used. When the service is invoked, a timer is reset to monitor call duration. When the reminder interval is reached, an elapsed time reminder announcement is played to the requesting party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communications system for processing a call. An activation signal is received from a terminal. Responsive to receiving the activation signal, a directory number is identified for a last call to the terminal. Responsive to a subsequent call to the terminal using the directory number, calls are selectively blocked to the terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forwarding anonymous and unknown calls include a call forwarder that receives call signaling messages from a calling party end office. The call forwarder determines whether a call identified by the call signaling message is anonymous or unknown. In response to determining that the call is anonymous or unknown, the call forwarder determines whether the calling party has an anonymous call forwarding feature. In response to determining that a calling party has an anonymous call forwarding feature, the call forwarder forwards the call to a predetermined destination.

Abstract: A call center is adapted to select calls on a preprogrammed basis for possible participation in a survey. Selected calls are transferred to an interrogation point, which may be by Interactive Voice Response, where the callers are asked if they will participate. For those callers who do not wish to participate, the calls are routed by normal routing rules. For those callers who do wish to participate, the calls are transferred according to survey routing rules, and after transaction with an agent, to a survey point where the survey is conducted. In one embodiment callers who indicate a willingness to participate, but hang up before being transferred to a survey point, are automatically called back, and then, if willing, transferred to the survey point.

Abstract: The integration of various federally required and state mandated do-not-call lists for telemarketers into a system that automatically blocks outgoing calls from a number of companies (“Customer Companies”) taking into account factors such as preexisting customers which may legally be contacted is disclosed. The system reviews outgoing calls by a telemarketer, compares it to the general do-not-call lists and the specific customer company do-not-call list and override permitted call list to make a determination if the call should be completed. This integration is due to the incorporation of a general purpose computer in a central location that is connected to all the major telephone carriers switch cluster locations and operated by a service provider. The “do-not-call” database of originating/destination pairs, as well as the logic for blocking or permitting telephone calls, is stored in this computer.

Abstract: A configurable and scalable rules-based thresholding system, method and computer program product for processing event records includes a core infrastructure and a configurable domain-specific implementation. The core infrastructure is generically employed regardless of the actual type of network being monitored. The domain-specific implementation is provided with user specific data and rules. The core infrastructure includes an event record enhancer which enhances events with additional data and a threshold detector which determines whether an enhanced event record, alone or in light of prior event records, exceeds one or more thresholds. The enhancer can access external databases for additional information related to an event record. In one embodiment, the enhancer generates feature vectors to represent enhanced event records. The threshold detector receives enhanced event records from the event record enhancer.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a predetermined message during selected calls-in-progress utilizes a communication station to detect a connection being attempted between a subscriber telephony device and a second telephony device. An adjunct processor determines whether the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device requires call-attendant monitoring and if so, monitors the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device to identify a predetermined event. An intelligent peripheral unit generates the predetermined message based on the predetermined event and a subscriber profile associated with the subscriber telephony device.

Abstract: A subscriber interface operating as a Personal Agent is provided to simplify, enhance and integrate the currently fragmented telephone services. The Personal Agent enables the subscriber to access and activate telephone network services using voice recognition technology. The subscriber interface is seamlessly integrated with the telephone network to enable the subscriber to perform one or more activation and deactivation commands of telephone features, initiate a call, and take calls at their discretion. The subscriber interface also enables the subscriber to administer the options that tailor the system to the subscriber. Access and activation of telephone features are enabled by the subscriber using voice commands. In particular, the present invention integrates Calling Line ID (CLID) with the names identified in a voice dialing personal directory and/or Name Display database to enable the user to use spoken names to instruct the various telephone features to work specifically on particular lines, e.g.

Abstract: A call center is adapted to select calls on a preprogrammed basis for possible participation in a survey. Selected calls are transferred to an interrogation point, which may be by Interactive Voice Response, where the callers are asked if they will participate. For those callers who do not wish to participate, the calls are routed by normal routing rules. For those callers who do wish to participate, the calls are transferred according to survey routing rules, and after transaction with an agent, to a survey point where the survey is conducted. In one embodiment callers who indicate a willingness to participate, but hang up before being transferred to a survey point, are automatically called back, and then, if willing, transferred to the survey point.

Abstract: A communication network includes a number of network nodes linked together by transmission paths. A network manager controls acceptance of calls onto transmission paths by classifying an incoming call and selecting from the database 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 of and apparatus for providing telecommunication services to a user. When the user is engaged in a first telephone call via a telephone switch with a first party and a second party attempts to place a second telephone call to the user via the switch, the method and apparatus advise the second caller that the user is engaged in a telephone conversation and allow the second caller to determine whether to interrupt the user or choose another alternative. The user can then decide whether to accept the call from the second caller, putting the first caller on hold, or to refuse the second call. Alternative embodiments are disclosed where the user is advised of the identity of the second caller (or wherein the user has previously authorized certain callers to interrupt a current call with a new call), and then the user can decide whether to accept the call from the second party (placing the first party on hold) or to deny the second party (in which case the second party is transferred to a message center).