Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention, include provision of enhanced telephony services for telephone calls received at local telephone exchange switches which do not themselves support identification of enhanced telephony service users and the associated triggering to initiate the provision of enhanced telephony services. Using a supported number portability mechanism, local telephone exchange switches allow provision of enhanced telephony services.

Abstract: A technique for service change and service fallback in intelligent networks is described. The network comprises a service control functional component (516) and a service switching functional component (518). A method implementation of the technique includes the step of obtaining (4) from the service switching functional component (518) service preference information for at least one of two or more services indicating a preferred service for a user equipment (510). Further, a service is selected (5) based on the service preference information and service availability information relating to required resources for at least one of the two or more services. The determined service for service change or service fallback is then indicated (6) to the service switching functional component.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing multiple, simultaneous incoming calls directed to a single communication device. The method includes receiving, by a proxy server associated with a called communication device, an invitation for each incoming call directed to the called communication device. The method also includes determining, by the proxy server upon receipt of each invitation, the availability of the called communication device by suspending transmission of each invitation and by sending to the called communication device an associated call initiation message for each invitation. The associated call initiation message is free of a Session Description Payload (SDP). The method further includes receiving, by the proxy server, at least one answer message from the called communication device, each answer message being associated with a selected incoming call.

Abstract: Multimedia IMS communications are established by matching callee capabilities with caller preferences and identifying a URI parameter in response thereto. When a session initiation protocol (SIP) request identifying caller preferences for an internet communication session and an identified callee is received (602), a determination is made of whether the identified callee is a registered address of record (AOR) or not (604). If the identified callee is a registered AOR (604), a uniform resource identifier (URI) parameter and a globally routable user agent URI (GRUU) associated with callee capabilities are identified (608, 612, 614). The URI parameter is used to create a modified SIP including the URI parameter (616) for sending (618) to an IMS enabled wireless communication device (120).

Abstract: A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client-server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Abstract: The provision of call handling treatments to callers interacting with an automated call-handling system is managed by, for each of a plurality of callers, providing a sequence of call handling treatments to the caller in accordance with workflows; monitoring a measurable performance indicator associated with that caller's behavior; determining an association between the performance indicator and the call handling treatments provided to the caller; and recording the association. Then, based on the recorded associations, the system determines a pattern of deviation in the performance indicator attributable to the call handling treatments; and alters the workflow in response to the deviation by making a change in the workflow selected from promoting a call handling treatment to an earlier point in the workflow; demoting a call handling treatment to a later point in the workflow; adding a call handling treatment to the workflow; and removing a call handling treatment from the workflow.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a customer premise based feature. For example, the method receives a call directed to a customer, wherein the call is associated with a customer premise based feature. The method then forwards the call to a customer premise based communication system located at a location of the customer, wherein the customer premise based feature is implemented locally by the customer premise based communication system.

Abstract: A method, application server, and Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) for allocating a SIP Application Server to a subscriber in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) identifies for the subscriber, a set of provisioned initial filter criteria, which contains at least one generic SIP Application Server identity. The HSS sends the filter criteria to an S-CSCF allocated to the subscriber. The S-CSCF resolves the generic SIP Application Server identity into a plurality of application server addresses, with one of the addresses being allocated to the subscriber for use in provisioning a service to the subscriber. The S-CSCF caches the address allocated to the subscriber for subsequent use.

Abstract: Once a customer selects a service provider, a qualification request is placed with the provider for customer-specific information identifying services and equipment are available to that customer. As a result, a provisioning agent is able to make a more meaningful determination of what specific services or equipment to offer to the customer, with the assurance that the services and equipment that will, in fact, be available to him.

Abstract: A method comprising directing a user equipped with a user's phone to a landing page in response to a call request to a call server communicatively coupled with a dynamic number insertion service (“DNIS”) provisioning server is disclosed. The user may be presented with an offer visible on the landing page such that the offer may be associable with the user's IP address. A user record may be created such that the user may be identifiable through a plurality of unique identifiers. A dynamic DNIS may be provisioned using the DNIS provisioning server such that a called ID associable with the landing page may be generated and the dynamic DNIS may be dialed such that the called ID may be captured. The user record may be matched using the dynamic DNIS and the dynamic DNIS may be released for re-use.

Abstract: Systems and method for processing orders for telecommunications services are disclosed. Generally a telecommunications transaction set of an electronic data interchange standard is received, the telecommunications transaction set corresponding to a telecommunications product or service for a customer. An order for the telecommunications product or service is then generated based on processing of the telecommunications transaction set.

Abstract: A network device is arranged for coupling to a first network segment (18) to a second network segment (17), and has a transfer unit (23) for transferring data packets between the first and second network segments. The device has a determining unit (24) for determining a service requirement for a received data packet for accommodating the service requirement in the second network segment. A source of the received data packet in the first network segment is detected. Based on priority criteria and content type criteria a type of service is tagged to the data packet in dependence of the source. The transfer unit is arranged for accommodating the type of service in the second network segment. Advantageously a bridge is formed for transferring data packets that are unaware of quality of service to a network segment that operates according to quality of service requirements.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a computer with processor, memory, and an application establishing a communication link with a mobile device provisioned with a first service on a wireless network. At least a portion of the link is provided by a wireless link over infrastructure of the network. The system also instructs the device to deactivate a key guard of the device, maps a first service indicator for a first network to a second indicator for a second network, instructs a provisioning system to remove the first service indicator from a service configuration of the device, and instructs the provisioning system to add the second service indicator to the service configuration of the device. The system also instructs a voice mail server to migrate a first voice mail data structure for the device based on the first service to a second structure for the device based on a second service, deprovisions the first service, and provisions the second service.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for providing voice response unit (VRU) shortcuts. A system is provided that includes: a user interface for allowing a user to input a targeted VRU, a goal, and call-specific information; a data mapping system for mapping the call specific information and user information pre-stored in a database to a VRU map associated with VRU; a VRU interface system for initiating a call with the targeted VRU and navigating the targeted VRU to an option associated with the goal; and a system for telephonically connecting the user with the targeted VRU when the option associated with the goal is reached.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes submitting a local number portability (LNP) order for the TN directly to a first telecommunications carrier that the TN is to be transferred from, triggering a port of the TN in accordance with the LNP order, and porting the TN from the first telecommunications carrier to the second telecommunications carrier, wherein the second telecommunications carrier is bypassed by the customer during the submitting and the triggering of the LNP order. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a telephone number (TN) to test for its porting activity as part of a local number portability (LNP) order, accessing a LNP call tester (LCT) to determine a current local routing number (LRN) for the TN, and determining, based on the TN and current LRN, whether the porting activity is completed for the TN in relation to a core telecommunications carrier servicing an owner of the TN. The porting activity may include at least one of port in, port out, and migration of the TN. In one embodiment, the planned porting activity for the TN associated with the LNP order is known prior to determining whether the porting activity has been completed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to systems and processes for processing telephone calls and providing telephony services. In one embodiment, a call processing system, compromises a first telephony interface configured to receive a call from a caller, a storage device configured to store a greeting, and a call answering system. The call answering system is configured to play the greeting in response to receiving the call, record a voice message from the caller, determine when the caller has completed recording the voice message, after determining that the caller has completed recording the voice message, play a prompt regarding the caller becoming a subscriber to call services provided by the call processing system, receive from the caller information used to establish a call services account, and establish a call services account for the caller.

Abstract: A method of generating device-specific configuration data during the initial set up of a device (12) comprises, during a configuration process running on the device (12), sending from the device (12) a first message and including a device identifier to a server (40) using a first mode of communication associable with a service identifier, sending from the device (12) a second message including the device identifier to a server (46) using a second mode of communication not associable with said service identifier, processing the first message to associate the device identifier with the service identifier, and processing the second message to query if the device identifier has been previously associated with the service identifier, and if so, sending device-specific configuration data to the device (12) for use during the configuration process, wherein after the configuration process is completed, the device-specific configuration data enables authentication using said service identifier when the device uses sai

Abstract: A conferencing system that can be configured by a host, and then reconfigured on the fly, in real time. The host initially provides configuration information to the system to define the initial operation of the conference call. The host can then update this information during the conference call to reconfigure the conference call. For instance, the information may include a question set. The initial question set is presented to participants as they enter the conference call. When the configuration information is changed by providing a new question, the new question is then presented to the participants in the conference call.

Abstract: Ring-back content is provided to a mobile video caller willing to call a recipient in a process in which: the ring-back content is stored, a first communication leg is established between an intermediate network element and the mobile video caller, a second communication leg is established between the intermediate network element and the recipient, and the delivery of the ring-back content to the mobile video caller is started between the initiating of the mobile video call and answering to the call by the recipient. The delivery of the ring-back content may be lead by an early connect message to delay charging. On establishing the second communication leg, no connect message is passed to the caller, but the charging of the mobile video call is started.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage mediums for implementing self-provisioning telephony services are provided. A method includes storing an access number at a service control server that services a local exchange carrier switch. The method also includes assigning a toll-free number to a customer account and distributing the toll-free number and access number to the corresponding customer. The method further includes receiving, at the local exchange carrier switch, a call from a customer, the call identified as the access number. The method also includes routing the call to a server and, absent human intervention, the server accessing the toll-free number identified for the customer account and generating a provisioning order that includes a customer telephone number from the customer account and the toll-free number. The method also includes transmitting the provisioning order to the service control server, the service control server activating the toll-free number for the customer account.

Abstract: A device is configured to detect a wireless device and determine if the wireless device is participating in a telephone call with a remote party. The device is further configured to establish a first voice communication link with the remote party, and establish a second voice communication link with the wireless device. In addition, the device is configured to bridge the first and second voice communication links together, thereby establishing voice communications between the wireless device and the remote party.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a provisioning subsystem communicatively coupled to a network device by a communication network. The provisioning subsystem is configured to incorporate, in a configuration profile, a unique parameter associated with the network device. The configuration profile includes one or more parameters for provisioning the network device to access at least one service provided over the communication network. The provisioning subsystem is further configured to encrypt the configuration profile having the unique parameter and to provide the encrypted configuration profile to the network device. In certain embodiments, the network device is configured to decrypt the encrypted configuration profile and verify that the configuration profile is intended for the network device.

Abstract: A method for initiating a service including initiating a communication to a destination according to an address of the destination; detecting the address during initiating of the communication; determining whether the detected address is associated with a trigger function; and triggering a request for the service when the detected address is associated with a trigger function. The request for the service is separate from the communication.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a provisioning process. A first provisioning entity (115) issues a provisioning order (401). A provisioning controller (10) checks whether the received provisioning order is complete. If the order is not complete, a second provisioning entity (116,115) is selected to provide further provisioning data (PD1,PD2,PD3,PD4,PD5,PD6) so as to complete the incomplete received provisioning order and to send the corresponding provisioning order/s to the corresponding provisioned entity/ies (121, 122, 123). The provisioning controller may check a service provisioning template (PT-X), which can comprise identifiers of provisioning entities that can supply certain provisioning data, identifiers of the data that can be obtained from each and sequence information determining the order in which said data may be collected and provided for provisioning a given service. A status register may be used to keep track the processing status of a received provisioning order.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating user selection of telephone menu options. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving at least one function and a corresponding correspondent-defined code, wherein the correspondent-defined code identifies the at least one function. The method also includes receiving a user-defined code, where the user-defined code identifies the at least one function. The method also includes generating a mapping of the at least one function, the correspondent-defined code, and the user-defined code.

Abstract: A request to delete a dialing plan is received. A list is generated of switching modules that are connected to a central processor of a telephone switch. Each switching module is queried to determine if the switching module includes a copy of the dialing plan. It is determined whether the dialing plan is in use by querying switching modules that include a copy of the dialing plan. If the dialing plan is not in use, then the dialing plan is deleted from at least one switching module identified as including a copy of the dialing plan.

Abstract: In one embodiment, interworking procedures between H.323 and SIP ensure that in-band tones and announcements, along with local and remote ringback, are properly played or generated.

Abstract: Service levels for call-processing are enhanced based on the subscriber status of at least one of the calling party and the called party. In one example, a calling party (caller) places a call to a called party (recipient). At least one of the parties subscribes to a call-processing service and the call normally would be processed according to a predetermined service level. However, the service level is enhanced in response to a subscriber status for at least one of the parties, and the call is processed according to the enhanced service level.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for creating telephony features for an endpoint includes receiving a plurality of instructions defining a graphical representation of an implementation of one or more telephony features for an endpoint. The graphical representation includes a plurality of graphical elements representing a state process of the one or more telephony features. The graphical representation is generated in accordance with the plurality of instructions. A plurality of text commands corresponding to the graphical elements are determined. The text commands specify a plurality of actions of the state process. The graphical representation is converted into customized feature logic that includes the plurality of text commands. The text commands provide the one or more telephony features for the endpoint.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for managing service for carrier subscribers and migrating them to service bundles. In an embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a list of existing services to which a subscriber is subscribed; comparing the list of services to available service bundles; and determining if there is an exact match of services between the list of existing services and services included in one or more available service bundles, and if so, migrating the subscriber to the one or more available service bundles with the exact match. A subscriber may be manually migrated if migration is not possible with an exact match or partial match.

Abstract: An IVR signature detection and event management system facilitates real-time discovery and notification of abnormal behavior within an IVR system. The system collects metrics associated with usage of the IVR system. The system uses the collected metrics to define a baseline. Having defined a baseline, the system collects evaluation metrics for comparison to the baseline. Where the evaluation metrics deviate from the baseline beyond a threshold deviation, the system detects aberrance. The system triggers an event in response to the detected aberrance. The event may be a message, one or more corrective actions, or the like.

Abstract: A system for correcting or updating a mobile identification number in a cellular telephone portion of a telematics unit installed in a vehicle allows service providers to resolve duplicate entries. A wireless service provider stores a triplicate entry in their HLR for cellular telephones associated with a number of telematics unit. The triplicate entry includes a MDN, a MIN, and an ESN. If a telematics unit's triplicate entry is an invalid combination, resulting, e.g., in call failure, the system provides an efficient mechanism whereby the service provider can update the MIN of each cellular telephone in one or more telematics units to eliminate duplicate entries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a method for determining the status of allocated phone numbers in a VoIP network by providing a tool to automatically determine whether allocated phone numbers are in service, deactivated, or waiting to be allocated phone numbers are disclosed. The present method enables access into service provisioning systems and their associated database regarding move, add, change, and disconnect operations to make this determination.

Abstract: A method for providing a dynamic bridge service is provided. The method comprises provisioning a dynamic bridge service associated with at least a first private number and a second private number. The method also comprises receiving an origination attempt from an electronic device associated with a third private number to establish a call to an electronic device associated with the first private number, requesting the bridge to be opened in response to receiving the origination attempt, and connecting the electronic device associated with the third private number to the bridge.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for transferring calls among communicating devices connected through a public network. The service is offered by a public network to permit a party in a ongoing conversation to transfer a call to another communicating device that may be more convenient to use, such as from a mobile telephone experiencing static to a land-based telephone, or from a home telephone to a mobile phone as a party leaves the home. In a method according to the invention, the network first establishes a connection between two communicating parties. The network then receives from one of the parties a request to transfer the call to another communications device. The network then transfers the call. The invention may be entirely network-based, in which case there may be a database of transferee devices stored on the network.

Abstract: A system and method for using one communication mode, such as instant messaging, to initiate and manage an alternative communication mode conversation. In one exemplary embodiment, an automated agent transfers conversation participants from an instant messaging conversation to a voice conversation by accepting an instant message command from a conference organizer and interacting with a voice conversation platform to call the instant messaging conversation participants on the telephone. One or more conversation participants can manipulate the conversation via commands to the automated agent using the first communication mode.

Abstract: A service order management system provisions service orders in a communications network having multiple network elements. The service order management system includes an order manager and an interface. The order manager, which receives requests representative of service orders for at least one communications service from dissimilar service order sources, includes an input process and an output process which determine, at least in part, service implementing information provided to the network elements to implement the at least one communications service. The interface is configured to interface the service order management system with the dissimilar service order sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating a composite data source having a common data representation from disparate sources of voice data. Data transmission links are established to heterogeneous messaging data sources, requests for voice data is sent using data access protocols, the voice data is received, and a set of voice data transformation rules are selectively applied to the voice data to transform the data into a common data representation. The common data representation can also be used as a source for reporting and graphical displays to monitor the operational aspects of the sources of voice data.

Abstract: Methods and systems using voice recognition can obtain complex data from a database using simple data obtained from a user. The database associates and stores complex data with simple data. The interactive voice response system prompts the user for simple information, such as a phone number, which can be interpreted using voice recognition. The speech-obtained simple data is then matched with the simple data stored in the database. If a match is found, the complex data (e.g., a street address) stored with the simple data is communicated to the IVR system. The IVR system communicates the complex data to the user and prompts the user to confirm whether the complex data is accurate. The database can be a third-party database such as a computer accessible phone directory or a credit bureau.

Abstract: Described is a system of disparate telecommunications networks having managed identities, a service, such as voicemail, abstracted from the underlying access networks, and an operational support system (OSS)/business support system (BSS) coupled to the networks to manage authentication and subscription information. A single authentication/subscription manager which is common to the disparate telecommunications networks is enabled by a Service Delivery Platform (SDP) which can be open-standards based and extensible as needed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for provisioning a private party telephony device for public call treatment on a temporary basis (for example, before allowing third party use of the device) and applying such public call treatment for call originations or terminations. Billing in public call treatment is arranged with assistance of an operator services platform with the user (for example, the third party user) of the private party telephony device. Advantageously, therefore, in public call treatment mode, the owner of the private party phone need not police third party use of the phone and will not be billed for such third party use. The owner may resume private call treatment when desired by converting the device from public mode to private mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, a message server for processing outgoing and incoming electronic messages is provided. The server includes a receiving facility, a transmission facility, an instruction, a checking facility, and a notification facility. The receiving facility receives the electronic messages, including a first electronic message and a second electronic message. The transmission facility sends the electronic messages including the first electronic message. The instruction is allocated to the first electronic message and includes information for sending a notification message. The checking facility checks the second electronic message to determine if the second electronic message is a reply message to the first electronic message. The notification facility sends the notification message in response to the receipt of the reply message.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system includes a messaging system configured to provide a messaging service. The messaging system includes a centralized Internet Protocol switching network, an Internet access subsystem, a voice access subsystem, a mail subsystem and a storage subsystem. One or more of the subsystems may be coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via one or more communication links integrated with and internal to the messaging system.

Abstract: A request management and workflow engine for a communications system is disclosed that may include a provisioning service order engine and a provisioning network engine. The provisioning service order engine may process the service order according with a defined and configured workflow and generate a service order result reflecting the result of the activation and provisioning of the services on the network. The provisioning network engine may manage the provisioning of the services into the network generating the expected network command specific for the services to be provisioned.

Abstract: Examples of the invention are used to provide a system and method for provisioning a telematics unit number based on a phone number already used by a customer. In examples, the telematics unit is provisioned with a number that aligns with a rate center plan, which is likely to result in a number that is local to a number the customer uses for dialing the unit and/or matches the area code of a number on the customer's account. In example a wireless telephone number is assigned to a vehicle telematics unit from an inventory of available wireless telephone numbers by querying the inventory to identify the wireless telephone number that matches one or more of the customer's home rate center, customer's NPA, customer's NXX, and customer's overlay NPA information based on a plurality of predetermined conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for temporarily provisioning a telephone service feature. At the request of a calling or called party, a telephone service feature to be temporarily provisioned can be identified. Once identified, the telephone service feature can be provisioned and activated to handle the telephone service feature. Upon completion of the call, the requested telephone service is deactivated. In order to activate the requested telephone service feature, system resources can be allocated to support the identified telephone service feature. The allocation of system resources can include reserving a pool of resources for activating the identified telephone service feature. For example, a pool of line interface circuits may be reserved specifically for providing temporary provisioning of the telephone service feature for subscribers. An available resource capable of processing the identified telephone service feature can be selected from the pool of resources.

Abstract: A communication system achieving the cooperation of communications between a SIP and a Web system through a cooperative manager. A call attempt manager of the SIP system is booted, responsive to a request from another call attempt manager, and a call attempt is registered in a SIP database. A result of the registration is sent to the Web system for display on a Web client. A task is entered and registered in a Web database. A connection or monitoring service is provided between SIP clients interconnected to the SIP system.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing communications for a communications device may include determining, at a network node, in response to determining that the communications device is in an off-hook state, that a user of the telephone has accepted to receive pre-dial content in substitution of standard pre-dial content. In response to determining that the user has accepted non-standard pre-dial content to be communicated in substitution of the standard pre-dial content, the non-standard pre-dial content may be communicated to the communications device in response to determining that the communications device is in an off-hook state. A signal from the communications device may be responded to before completion of the non-standard pre-dial content if the user pays a fee to enable interruption of the non-standard pre-dial content.

Abstract: Method for automatically managing a telecommunication service for telecommunication service user includes detecting a telecommunication device associated with the telecommunication service user on a network, determining an activation state of the telecommunication service based on data regarding the detected telecommunication device, determining an account/device state based on data regarding the detected telecommunication device and executing a management process between the telecommunication device and the telecommunication service to alter either the device state or the user account status based on the data regarding the detected device. The executing step includes automatically invoking an action that minimizes the necessary user interaction to initialize, update or access the service. Such service can be VoIP, instant messaging, and combination of these services or others.