Abstract: A telecommunications system, service control point and method are provided that can establish specialized dialing plan(s) utilizing one or more of the unused country codes in the traditional international dialing plan. In particular, the telecommunications system could translate the digits of a telephone call having an international access code and a previously unused country code to direct the telephone call to a service provider instead of a foreign country. The service provider could then manage one of the new dialing plans and offer a variety of services to their customers including, for example, global vanity numbers, global local number portability, global Internet access, and private dialing plans.

Abstract: A network device included in a local area network is controlled with an outside telephone. A telephone line 2 is directly connected to a router 3 incorporated in a local area network 7 including a computer 8. A server 5 is connected to the telephone line 2, and the telephone line 2 is also used as the Internet 9. The outside telephone 4 makes a call to the router 3 through the telephone line 2 while the router 3 detects the phone call to send a packet for activation to the computer 8 to activate the device in the wait state. The computer 8 after the activation requests the server 5 to allow its connection to the Internet 9, obtains a network address in the Internet 9, and notifies the network address to the outside telephone 4. Thereafter, data is exchanged between the telephone 4 and the computer 8.

Abstract: A method of routing signalling information at a signalling point of a telecommunications network. A Global Title Routing Case (GTRC) table is provided for mapping Global Titles to GTRCs, where each GTRC is allocated a primary and secondary destination signalling point. At least one peak time period is predefined, and said primary and secondary destination signalling points are swapped during said peak period to allow for load sharing during this period. For a signalling transfer request received at the signalling point, the Global Title associated with the request is mapped to a GTRC using the GTRC table, and the destination signalling point is determined in dependence upon the primary and secondary destination signalling points allocated to the mapped GTRC and signalling point availability, and, the time at which the request is received.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a communication through an alternate carrier. The A method includes recognizing an input number upon which a call is based, assigning primary, alternate and secondary interexchange carriers responsive to the recognizing, and sequentially routing an input number from a node among primary, alternate, and secondary carriers until a connection is established.

Abstract: A Service Control Point (SCP) directs a telecommunications network to connect a resource only when the resource is needed. When the resource is no longer needed, the SCP selects a new connection for the network. The SCP directs the network to disconnect the resource and use the new connection so the resource does not remain on the line during the entire call. The invention can be used to add and drop multiple resources from a call while the call is in progress. The SCP also provides context information for the call so multiple resources can access context information for the call.

Abstract: A system and method for managing, switching, and reconfiguring physical connections of telecommunications services that provides improved cost and timeliness.

Abstract: Data is dynamically routed between first and second locations. An attempt failure ratio is obtained for each of several data paths capable of providing a data link between the first and second locations, where such ratio represents a proportion of failed linkages by the data path to all attempted linkages by the data path between the first and second locations. A revenue value is also obtained for each data path, where such value represents an amount per unit generated by a successful linkage by the data path between the first and second locations. A comparative income value is then computed for each data path, where such value is a product of the attempt failure ratio for the data path and the revenue value for the data path. Routing information is then selected for routing the data between the first and second locations based on the comparative income value for each data path. The routing information may be employed to route the data by way of at least one of the data paths.

Abstract: A switching core controller for controlling one or more Digital Cross-connect Systems (DCSs). A method for operating a switching core for pre-provisioning communication paths in anticipation of incoming calls. A method for routing a call to effect load balancing between mediation devices of a logical entity of at least two mediation devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to associate multimedia clients with telephony devices and create multimedia sessions related to a voice connection between the telephony devices. The telephony devices may be part of a public network or an enterprise network associated with a PBX. Further, calls can be routed in part over packet-switched and circuit-switched networks.

Abstract: A node equipment according to the present invention makes a record of unique identification information and a network identifier indicating an accommodated network of a plurality of networks with regard to both or either of an originating party and a destination party of an originated call, and with regard to the succeeding originated call, it performs routing selecting a network indicated by an identifier which is a record corresponding to identification information on a destination party of the call as a candidate for an outgoing line. Accordingly, maintenance and operation cost are reduced, and quality and reliability in service are improved without complexing an operation performed at an originating party.

Abstract: A system and method for managing, switching, and reconfiguring physical connections of telecommunications services that provides improved cost and timeliness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for exchanging control information between a automatic call distributor and a public switched telephone network. The method includes the steps of identifying a subscriber channel between the automatic call distributor and public switched telephone network for use during a communication transaction and exchanging control information regarding the identified data channel over any of a plurality of available control channel between the public switch telephone network and automatic call distributor using nonassociative signaling.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging telecommunication service information between a telecommunication service provider and a telecommunication service customer include electronically receiving a request in a predefined format to establish an interactive session with a telecommunications customer, determining whether the telecommunications customer is authorized for electronically exchanging information and continuing only if the customer is authorized, parsing the request to identify information related to at least one telecommunications service offered by the telecommunications services provider, the telecommunications service having an associated identification code, determining whether the requested telecommunication service is available in a particular location, and automatically generating information associated with the requested telecommunications service and transmitting the information using the predetermined format to the customer.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (110) has a unit (100) and technique to alleviate congestion on a congested link as can occur, e.g., when a new connection seeks admission to the network. The congestion avoidance technique/unit ascertains, from a set of candidate connections (C0, C1, C2, C3), a best candidate to route in order to avoid the congestion. Further, the congestion avoidance technique/unit determines a best candidate path to which the best candidate connection is to be routed. The best candidate connection and the best candidate path are determined so that, after routing the best candidate connection to the best candidate path, a load of the weakest link in the network is as low as possible.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided including a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code device embodied therein for graphically representing and managing a telecommunications cable system. Managing includes tracking all hardware components contained in the telecommunications cable system and the capacity of each hardware component. Preferably, the cable system includes a PBX switch and master database, and at least one adjunct system and database. The computer readable program code device interacts with the master database, which contains a copy of information contained in each PBX, adjunct system and each adjunct system and respective database, and provides a user with an ability to track all telecommunications system cabling and hardware components by unique identification number stored in a cable manager database by type.

Abstract: Emergency services calls may be alternate-routed in an intelligent network having at least one Service Control Point (SP) with access to a routing table, a plurality of Service Switching Points (SSP) equipped with point-in-call triggers and one or more emergency services stations (PSAP). The routing table lists a routing number for each of the emergency services stations.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for observing and controlling a multi-layered communication network, comprising steps of: storing control contents for each layer; observing traffic information of each link which belongs to an upper layer; storing the traffic information observed and related information for each link; altering a route in a lower layer and capacity for each link based on the observed traffic information for each link, related information for each link and the control contents for each layer.

Abstract: A new destination number determination switching system is provided for a telecommunications environment in which a called party has discontinued an old called party destination number and obtained a new called party destination number. The new destination number determination switching system is used to obtain the new called party destination number when a calling party places a call to the old called party destination number. The switching system includes a hub switch that receives a rerouted call from a corresponding original destination switch. The hub switch corresponds to a routing number prefix used to reroute calls from the corresponding original destination switch to the hub switch. The routing number prefix causes the hub switch to initiate a trigger to a network platform that obtains the new called party destination number.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network having switching points (such as SSPs and/or MSCs) controlled by a control point (such as an SCP), the switching points are provisioned to send messages to the control point when they encounter trigger conditions during processing of a call to a called station that has a forward-to number. When the control point receives the messages, it determines whether a loop condition exists, i.e., whether the call has already been forwarded from the forward-to number. If the control point determines that a loop condition exists, the control point instructs the switching point so as not to forward the call to the forward-to number.

Abstract: A communication system includes a tenant with multiple physical locations that include a number of packet enabled telecommunications devices managed by one or more call managers. To generate a route plan for use by a call manager in managing calls from these devices, a route plan wizard determines routing options, location information for the tenant, and gateway information for gateways available to the tenant and then automatically generates a route plan for use in routing telephone calls originating from the managed packet enabled telecommunications devices based on this information.

Abstract: A method and system for connecting a wireline telephone to a wireline switch in a wireline telecommunications network having a plurality of remote terminals and wireline switches includes a processing platform having a database associated therewith. The processing platform is operative to receive identification of a subscriber in response to a call attempt and determine a preferred connection between the wireline telephone and one of the plurality of wireline switches based on predetermined data stored in the database and associated with the subscriber. The remote terminal connects the wireline telephone to one of the plurality of wireline switches based on the preferred connection as directed by the processing platform so as to complete the call attempt.

Abstract: A redial system for a VoIP modem includes a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) for interfacing analog telephone signals from a telephone set to the VoIP modem and for generating redial signals to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a first relay for connecting the telephone set with the PSTN or connecting the telephone set with the SLIC, a dummy load, a second relay connected between the PSTN and the dummy load for establishing or de-establishing a connection between the PSTN and the dummy load, a third relay connected between the first relay and the SLIC for establishing or de-establishing a connection between the first relay and the SLIC, and a control means for controlling the second and third relays to establish the connection between the PSTN and the dummy load and de-establish the connection between the first relay and the SLIC during the generation of the redial signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a simultaneous ring system. The system is configured to be coupled to the end-user line of the telephone network. In response to receiving an incoming call on the user-line, the simultaneous ring system simultaneously ring target phone numbers associated with the telephone number and transfers the telephone call to the telephone network if a connection to one of the target phone numbers is made. These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed descriptions and studying the various figures of the drawings.

Abstract: A system establishes a telephone call between a calling party and a called party. The system receives a telephone call connection request, including identification of the called party, from the calling party and determines, based on the identification information, if the called party is currently connected to a data network. If the called party is currently connected to the data network, the system establishes the telephone call between the calling party and an instant messaging client of the called party.

Abstract: A system and method for routing an incoming call to a subscriber-selected destination number in accordance with dynamic data concerning the subscriber provided by an address book, a calendar and a presence server. A routing system routes the incoming call in accordance with a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, as determined from the address book. The routing rule may specify that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with the current date and time, as indicated by the calendar. The routing rule may specify, alternatively or in addition thereto, that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with a presence-enabled service on which the subscriber is currently active. The subscriber or caller may also be alternatively notified of the routing of the incoming call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which specific properties of individual signalling links in a signalling network are utilized without all signalling link sets having to have these specific properties. A fixed allocation is provided between a signalling link having the specific properties and a specific value of the signalling a signalling message.

Abstract: A system for allowing a plurality of administrators to control switching system resources in a telephone system. A switching system is communicatively connected to a server computer. The server computer maintains databases that store the resources that a plurality administrators are allowed to access and the functions that each administrator is allowed to perform. When the server computer receives a request from an administrator for an administrative function to be performed by the switching system, the software executed by the server computer accesses the database and determines if the administrator is allowed to perform the requested function and if the resources are available to administrator. If the administrator has made a valid request the server computer generates a command and transmits the command to the switching system that performs the function requested in the command. The server computer may also maintain a database that maintains a pool of unused resources.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing a signaling network of call coordinators (CCs) for internet telephony. The new method can be used to design a CC network of arbitrary size that satisfies, with high probability, limitations on the maximum number of sockets per CC and on the maximum number of hops between an arbitrary pair of switches in the network. According to the disclosed method, the network of CCs is treated initially as a collection of isolated points, one point for each CC. Then, links are added between pairs of CCs, excluding pairs lying within the same switch. The links are added randomly, but with a particular probability p, which may be different for different pairs. Thus, whether a given link is added depends, in effect, upon the outcome of a loaded coin toss in which the probability of a positive outcome is p.

Abstract: Data is dynamically routed between first and second locations. An attempt success ratio is obtained for each of several data paths capable of providing a data link between the first and second locations, where such ratio represents a proportion of successful linkages by the data path to all attempted linkages by the data path between the first and second locations. A revenue value is also obtained for each data path, where such value represents an amount per unit generated by a successful linkage by the data path between the first and second locations. A comparative income value is then computed for each data path, where such value is a product of the attempt success ratio for the data path and the revenue value for the data path. Routing information is then selected for routing the data between the first and second locations based on the comparative income value for each data path. The routing information may be employed to route the data by way of at least one of the data paths.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging telecommunication service information between a telecommunication service provider and a telecommunication service customer include electronically receiving a request in a predefined format to establish an interactive session with a telecommunications customer, determining whether the telecommunications customer is authorized for electronically exchanging information and continuing only if the customer is authorized, parsing the request to identify information related to at least one telecommunications service offered by the telecommunications services provider, the telecommunications service having an associated identification code, determining whether the requested telecommunication service is available in a particular location, and automatically generating information associated with the requested telecommunications service and transmitting the information using the predetermined format to the customer.

Abstract: The invention relates to calling subscriber validation in a telecommunications system which is divided into networks governed by at least two different operators and in which at least some of the subscribers connected to the network of a given operator also have access to the network of a neighbouring operator through the network of the given operator. To enable the validation to be carried out economically and with maximum utilization of the network transmission capacity, the network of the neighbouring operator uses a given predetermined node (SW4′) for calling subscriber validation, and the connection setup process is continued in the network of the neighbouring operator from an inter-network link up to the predetermined node in which validation is performed in the connection setup phase.

Abstract: The system automatically generates electronic commands necessary to modify or provision different types of program control switches as may be included in a public switch telephone network. A data schema and organization of tables and data structures provide for command generation for each of the different switch types. Additionally, a self-modifying dynamic data structure is used as a common area to communicate information between various programs and formulate the commands due to a limited number of parameters used to communicate information between programs that generate the command for the switches. A technique for verifying switch commands automatically generated by a second new provisioning system is described. A technique is described for automatically extracting switch specific commands and options as generated by a first system for use in populating data stores used in a second system for command generation.

Abstract: A system for determining the lowest cost long distance carrier is disclosed. The system uses long distance rate information to determine the lowest cost long distance carrier for a particular long distance telephone call. The system can also retrieve the dialing prefix for the long distance carrier. Once a dialed telephone number is received by the system, the system determines the lowest cost long distance carrier, adds the dialing prefix to the dialed number, and then outputs the entire string, that is, the prefix and the dialed number so that the long distance call is completed using the lowest cost long distance carrier.

Abstract: A method and system include routing telephone calls from multiple private networks via public lines and trunks in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a host switch, at which the connections would begin to run parallel. The host switch routes the telephone calls via a private trunk group to a private facility, such as an electronic tandem network (ETN) node or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. If the private trunk group is full or unavailable, the host switch routes the telephone calls over alternate private or public trunk groups and selected carriers.

Abstract: A system and method for host signaling processing that allows multiple SS7 applications to have visibility to the SS7 network traffic and the ability to control the SS7 network traffic. The applications residing on the platform have visibility to the SS7 traffic flowing through the Intelligent Communications Point (ICP) Platform, ability to control and modify the traffic and the ability to inject new SS7 traffic onto the SS7 links. The ICP platform will provide basic services that applications can use including Logging Data, Process Events, Inter Process Communication Services, and an interface to the Intelligent Communications Manager which provides a graphical user interface to manage the ICP. In addition to these services, the ICP Platform will provide basic traffic metering and measurement, bookkeeping statistics, and a failsafe mechanism for the SS7 links.

Abstract: In a method of routing calls to an external network from a calling node of a private network having a plurality of external network access circuit groups, each circuit group is connected to a gateway node of the private network. The method calculates a cost for different possible routes to the external network, the cost of a route to the external network being a function of the circuit group used and the route in the private network between the calling node and the gateway node of the circuit group used. It also chooses a route as a function of the calculated costs. The cost of a route to the external network is a decreasing function of the resources available on the circuit group used and is also a decreasing function of the load of the links used for routing in the private network. This optimizes use of the resources of the private network.

Abstract: A subscriber implements and accesses telecommunications services, using a graphical user interface (GUI) via the Internet, and an interactive voice response (IVR) system via the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). The subscriber can create preferences for calls placed to operator assistance.

Abstract: Utilizing an invisible agent within a remote switch to allow the redirection of calls received from a telephone set connected to a public telephone network to a main switching system using a transfer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing uninterrupted transfer of voice telephony provided by a first service provider to a derived voice technology over a digital subscriber line provided by a second service provider are disclosed are disclosed. The system generally comprises a first telephone line configured to connect to a first and a second voice switch of the first and second service providers, respectively, having a same assigned telephone number and a derived voice customer premise equipment configured to connect to the first and second telephone lines and to selectively connect a telephone to the second voice switch. The method generally comprises establishing connectivity between a telephone and a first and a second voice switch of the first and second service providers via a first and a second line, respectively, having a same assigned telephone number and selectively connecting the telephone to the second voice switch via a client premise equipment.

Abstract: In a public switched telephone network, interoffice call attempts to or from a line under surveillance generate a variety of query, response and release messages between the offices, as part of the normal procedures for setting up and tearing down the calls to and from the line. To insure that all calls under surveillance generate signaling messages, terminating, dialing and release triggers are set with respect to the target's line. As a result, the end office serving that line sends queries to a database on the signing network, receives response messages, and sends release report messages. A site processor compiles data from the signaling messages and forms a call detail record (CDR) for each call attempt relating to the target under surveillance. A central file server further processes the CDRs and supplies composite data regarding the target's calls through a data network connection to one or more law enforcement agencies.

Abstract: A telecommunications system that recognizes “post-fix” codes after directory numbers are dialed. Such post-fix codes provide the calling party with the ability to invoke features or functions before the call is routed. By use of a post-fix code (for example, *X or *XX) the caller may, for example, control routing of a telephone call.

Abstract: A bridge device for telephony services includes a system processor, which is coupled between at least two heterogeneous telephone networks. The system processor includes information for selecting one of the heterogeneous networks in accordance with criteria. A switching device is controlled by the system processor to dynamically select one of the at least two heterogeneous telephone networks to provide service to a subscriber by causing a connection to be made to the selected telephone network.

Abstract: Described is a system and method that integrates a user's browsing experience with the placement of telephone calls, and to generating a revenue stream for third party service providers that direct the calls to selected telephone carriers. An autodialer runs on a computing device and routes user's calls to selected carrier's networks based on optional embodiments for carrier selection. The telephone carrier can be pre-selected by an autodialer or be user selected from an ordered list. Predetermined selections may be based on the carrier bidding the least cost, or optionally, the carrier bidding the highest reward. The rank ordering of telephone carriers can be based on a figure of merit. The telephone carriers can be rank ordered based on the carrier most often selected by the users; or optionally based on the highest reward offered to the third party service provider by the carrier.

Abstract: A method of routing interLATA network traffic includes the steps of receiving a number of dialed digits at a first service switching point (18) in a first virtual network (10). Then a query is sent to a service control point (24). When the dialed digits result in the call to a facility (32) in a second virtual network (26) connected to the first virtual network (10) by a tie line (38), the call is routed to a hub service switching point (34) in the second virtual network (26) over the tie line (38).

Abstract: Intelligent network (IN), comprising at least one Service Switching Point, SSP (2), at least one Service Control Point, SCP (3), one or more Intelligent Peripherals, IPs (5), and/or one or more Voice Response Systems, VRSs (4), which IN is capable of interacting with a PSTN or ISDN (1). The essence of the concept is an additional interface, in the form of a control member (6), between the IPs and/or VRs on one side and the Service Control Point(s) on the other side. Such makes it possible that the (advanced) IPs and VRSs are capable of exchanging all sorts of information with the SCP, without the IPs or VRSs consequently being occupied for an extended period of time. As a result, the SCP may dispose of (additional) information which in a regular IN cannot be made available to the SCP(s).

Abstract: An optimal digit translation and call processing system and method is provided. A prefix translation and digit characterization process are performed utilizing a digit prefix table and a second table interfaced therewith. The digit prefix table contains numerous records corresponding to prefixes of dialed digit streams. Each record includes an index to a record of a second table operable to output a termination type of the digit stream. The second table includes numerous records associated with various call termination types. Each index included within respective records of the digit prefix table may reference more than one record of the second table. The digit stream length is analyzed to resolve ambiguities in the digit stream when an index in a record of the digit prefix table references more than one record of the second table.

Abstract: A device for making telephone calls receives input data defining a call destination. The device generates a request message which is output to a control centre, a response message then being received from the control centre identifying a preferred route for routing the call to the call destination. The routing information is utilised by the device in initiating communication with the call destination. Typically the input data is a telephone number and the dialling means initiates communication using a modified telephone number which may include a prefix obtained from routing data contained in the response message. Response messages may be stored in a cache memory to reduce the need for request messages. The device may be a mobile telephone operating in a cellular telecommunications network or may be a landline device such as telephone or facsimile machine.

Abstract: A call from a calling party to a first called party in a telecommunications network is initiated via a network switch. Subsequently a leg of the call from the network switch to the first called party is released. Data identifying a second called party is transmitted from the first called party to a network control platform. The network control platform correlates the data transmitted and the respective call earlier made and controls the network switch to now route the earlier call to the second called party.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for effecting a communication arrangement of a plurality of communication circuits between first connection loci of a first switch array and second connection loci of a second switch array. The apparatus comprises: (a) a first connection interface with the first switch array having first interconnection loci; (b) a second connection interface with the second switch array having second interconnection loci; (c) a plurality of communication paths at least equal in number to the plurality of communication circuits intermediate the first and second connection interfaces; (d) a first router connected with the first switch array and connection interface; and (e) a second router connected with the second switch array and connection interface. The first and second router interfaces cooperate to effect a plurality of routing connections among the first connection loci, the second connection loci and selected communication paths to establish the communication arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method to connect a caller to a callee through the services of an operator, the method comprising: connecting the caller to the operator through an origination switch; connecting the operator to the callee through a destination switch; sending a release message to the destination switch with a request for a callee address; receiving the address at the operator; sending a release message to the origination switch with the callee address; and connecting the callee with the caller by utilizing the callee address. The method can also include putting the callee on hold at the destination switch and sending the callee address from the destination switch. The method can also include putting the caller on hold at the origination switch while receiving the callee address from the operator. The operator can be an automated operator, a manual operator, or a private branch exchange, for example. The network can be an asynchronous transfer mode network and, or an Internet Protocol network, for example.