Abstract: A path redundant, hardware efficient communications interconnect (1) has embodiments that can present true any-to-any interconnect capability for first and second pathways (2) and (3) and can utilize double throw switches (25) with or without single throw switches (24) perhaps in staged collectives of sub arrays (4), (5), (6), (9), and (10). A loop-back communications interconnect (22) can be accomplished by an interleaved sub array (26). A quadrilateral center stage sub array (21) can be combined with asymmetric side stage sub arrays for hardware savings that are tenths of a percent of a traditional interconnect and even present eight fold savings over prior reduced hardware interconnects.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing options requests includes: storing, in a first system, static information regarding subscriptions by customers, the static information including at least customer names and product identifiers; storing, in a second system separate from the first system, flexible information regarding the subscriptions including at least activated options; and processing requests from the customers regarding options in the second system, wherein the first system and the static information are not used in processing the requests.

Abstract: An authentication system is configured to weight multiple available network supplied and user supplied authentication factors to determine whether a user should be provided with access to an Emergency Communication Network (ECN). The multiple factors may include the location of the user, MIN, short PIN, token, biometric information, and other information. The level of access to be provided to the user may be tiered based on the authentication level achieved during the weighting process. Authentication information may be shared between groups of individuals, so that the authentication requirements for group members may be reduced as other members of the group supply authentication information to the ECN. Group authentication may be used to enable group services such as conferencing and push-to-talk to be set up automatically for the group.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable private notification of a participant in a telephone conference. In representative embodiments, a system receives a telephone call intended for a first conference participant, generates an informative announcement containing information regarding the call, mixes the informative announcement with the conference audio, and privately plays the mixed audio to the first participant. In other representative embodiments, the system concurrently generates a non-informative announcement, mixes the non-informative announcement with the conference audio, and plays the second mixed audio to the other conference participant or participants. In this way, the first participant is notified of the incoming call while simultaneously listening to the conference audio, and the information regarding the call is not shared with the other conference participant or participants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a corporation switchboard platform and a call processing method. The corporation switchboard platform comprises a corporation switchboard service control point, a corporation switchboard service switching point and an intelligent peripheral, wherein the corporation switchboard service control point comprises: a basic call processing module for determining whether the capability of an existing network switching device can support a call triggered by a service switching point of a switching network and sending the call to an enhanced service capability module when determining that the capability of the existing network switching device cannot support the call; and an enhanced service capability module for controlling the intelligent peripheral and the corporation switchboard service switching point to complete a service related to the call.

Abstract: A method is provided for reserving trunks on a trunk group for designated class of service calls. The trunks available for a denominated class of service is specified, and the trunks remaining are enumerated and designated as of no class and available for all calls. When the no class trunks are in use and a new call is a denominated class of service, it is allocated to a trunk and the trunks available is reduced accordingly. If the no class trunks are in use and a new call is not of a denominated class of service, the new call is allocated to a further trunk group. When a call is released and the number available is reduced below a specified number, the number of available trunks increases. If the number of trunks available is not reduced below a specified number, the released trunk is made available for all calls.

Abstract: In a system in which a first computer transmits data to a second computer, the first computer transmits data conveying time information to the second computer, with the information expressing a first time point that occurs prior to commencement of the transmission and, following reception of the time information, the second computer compares the first time point information with a current time point, to thereby obtain a communication delay amount that includes a delay in transmitting data from the first to the second computer.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining a communication network including a plurality of call processors, a plurality of packet gateways, and a plurality of trunk groups connected to each packet gateway. Queries are transferred to at least one call processor of the plurality of call processors, and responses are received from the one call processor. The responses are processed to associate the one call processor with a packet gateway and to associate the packet gateway with trunk groups connected to the packet gateway. The association of the packet gateway with the trunk groups is displayed, and a user selects one of the trunk groups. Then an instruction is transferred to the one call processor to seize and release the user-selected one of the trunk groups.

Abstract: A method comprising a data-processing system that enables one or more applications to share fewer ports by having the data-processing system request the ports, and then assign a “token” to establish a “session” to permit the one or more applications to interact with the ports.

Abstract: A communication network comprising a plurality of border controllers, a first packet voice network, a second packet voice network coupled to the first packet network by the plurality of border controllers, and a master border controller coupled to the plurality of border controllers and coupled to the first packet voice network and the second packet voice network. The master border controller, responsive to receiving a query from a switch in the first packet voice network for a call between the first and second packet voice networks, processes the query to determine a first border controller for the call of the plurality of border controllers, and transfers a response to the switch in the first packet network wherein the response indicates the first border controller.

Abstract: A declarative model for specifying appropriate transformations that may occur at the input and output of each service of a sequence of services that accomplish a more complex task. Each of the services may have access to the appropriate transformation declarations, and may interpret the declarations to thereby be appropriate directed on transforms to occur in its input data and/or output data. In order to change a transformation, the transformation declaration may be altered.

Abstract: Number portability is a service where a subscriber can keep his old telephone number within a portability cluster and thus retain easy contactibility. Because of number portability, a called address, i.e. B-number, no longer refers to the subscription network/number range owner and the old rule “the number range of the called party reveals the tariff level” is no longer valid. To overcome this defect all intelligent network-like service invocation requests are routed (3-2) via a network node performing a number portability function to the network node controlling the service. The node performing the number portability function performs (3-3) a mapping of the B-number and relays (3-4) the service invocation requests indicating the subscription network/number range owner.

Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling multiple services to be invoked in a specific precedence per call are disclosed. For example, the present method allows a subscriber to interact with a plurality of services provided by a service provider on a single call.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing self-provisioning telephony services. The method includes receiving a request for the self-provisioning telephony services from a caller of a telecommunications service provider. The method also includes prompting the caller to provide information for facilitating implementation of the self-provisioning telephony services. The method further includes implementing the self-provisioning telephony services, without human intervention from a telecommunications service provider, in response to information received as a result of the prompting. The self-provisioning telephony services include activating an account for a new telephone number, modifying an account for an existing telephone number, retrieving a forgotten personal identification number, and canceling an account for an existing telephone number.

Abstract: Multiple access internet portal billing systems are provided. A representative system, among others, includes a communication facility, a wireless internet server, and a transaction billing system. The communication facility includes a billing platform, and is operable to connect to a plurality of wireless device platforms through a mobile network, and to connect to the wireless internet server. The wireless internet server provides internet access to the wireless devices and communicate at least one billing information record including a usage time to a transaction billing system. The transaction billing system receives the billing information record from the wireless internet server, formats the billing information record, and communicates the formatted record to the communication facility billing platform. Methods and other systems for multiple access internet portals are also provided.

Abstract: A System for communicating between Remote Sentry Devices (conveniently called Enabled Cell-Phones or Enabled Wireless Devices) and members of a community (End-Users) or with other Remote Sentry Devices through a Central Point Server in order to provide a multiplicity of communication paths and access to Applications Program content by means of said Central Point Server. Said Central Point Server may contain or have access-to a multiplicity of Applications Programs which may be engaged in order to execute pre-determined scenarios or to enhance pre-determined scenarios in response to input from Enabled Wireless Devices or other End-User Devices. Said Central Point Server could be the enabler for, as an illustrative example, the Stealth Mode capabilities of referenced Enabled Wireless Devices. Said Central Point Server could also dynamically manage various scenarios in response to unfolding events as communicated by said Enabled Wireless Devices or End-Users.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining an internal user for a call center system. The information servicing function provided in the existing communication networks may be utilized in the invention. After a call initiated from an internal user for a call center system to an external user fails, the call center system sends the call information to the external user in a timely manner so that the external user can obtain identification information of the internal user for the call center system in a timely and accurate manner. With the invention, the possibility of reaching the internal user for the call center system is enhanced and thus the interests of the external user and the enterprise entity can be secured.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning initiated communications to a particular branch, location, or facility associated with a vendor are disclosed. An exemplary system may include an assignment server in communication with a data network that includes a primary data line for a vendor having a plurality of associated vendor facilities. The system further may include a plurality of vendor facility data lines, each of which is associated with one of the vendor facilities. The assignment server is configured to locate a group of vendor facilities from the plurality of vendor facilities that are within a predetermined range of a location associated with the initiated communication. The assignment server is further configured to assign one of the eligible vendor facilities to the initiated communication and connect the initiated communication with the vendor facility data line of the assigned vendor facility.

Abstract: A device (500) for switching-in and switching-off telecommunications or data services in a telecommunications or data network to a plurality of subscribers the device comprising a plurality of apparatuses (100, 504, 506, 508), wherein each of which comprises a first distribution matrix (104) connected to a crossover matrix (108) and a second distribution matrix (106) connected to said crossover matrix (108), wherein the crossover matrix (108) is adapted to be connected to a main cable (110) and to a distribution cable (112) and crossover switching elements for switching of connections within said crossover matrix (108) and distribution switching elements for switching of connections within said distribution matrices (104, 106) are controlled from a remote location, wherein the first distribution matrix (104) and the second distribution matrix (106) are adapted to be connected to a node for providing plurality of telecommunications or data services (114) and wherein the first distribution matrix (104) from a f

Abstract: A communications center supports sales and/or customer support services corresponding to a plurality of business affiliations. Operator terminals within the communications center are configurable. A management module manages the allocation of the operator terminals between the plurality of different business affiliations being supported by the communications center. The management module loads a set of configuration information into an operator terminal to match a determined business affiliation with a customer's communications device capabilities. At different times, e.g. corresponding to an initial communications session and a follow-on communications session, the same customer may be connected to different physical operator terminals and be communicating with different actual operators; however, from the perspective of the customer, the customer is made to think that the communication is with the same operator terminal and same operator.

Abstract: A method of administering a priority service is provided in a telecommunications network (20). The priority service provides higher priority handling of calls employing the service as compared to calls not employing the service for purposes of call completion. The method includes: obtaining at least one authentication credential from a user placing a call over the network (20); verifying a validity of the obtained credential; designating the call for priority handling if the credential is valid, otherwise designating the call for non-priority handling if the credential is invalid; and, attempting to complete the call over the network (20) in accordance with the designated handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time insertion of services into an IP telephony call session are disclosed. A client initiates a service request message to a second server. The service request message includes the client identity and a requested service available from a second server. The first server determines if the client is authorized to use the requested service. If the client is authorized to use the requested service, the second server delivers the requested service to the client.

Abstract: A module and method for automatically detecting and switching between FXO and FXS interfaces via a single RJ11 is disclosed. The module comprises a RJ11 jack, a USB controller, a modem element, a SLIC module and a DAA module, wherein the USB controller is electrically coupled with a computer for automatically detecting whether a PSTN phone line or a traditional telephone is plugged into the RJ11 jack. According to the detection, the telephone can be connected to the Internet for making and answering a VoIP call via the computer; the computer can be connected to the Internet for making and answering a VoIP call via the modem element; or the computer can make/answer a call to/from the PSTN.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing listing information, contacts information, appointments information, etc. To provide effective connectivity, for example, when a user locates a phone number in his/her private directory using a web browser, the user may utilize a direct connect feature of the invention to initiate a phone call to the desired number over the Internet. In addition, the invention allows for delivery of the appointments information to the user not only via voice connection, but also SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. It also allows for rendering a calendaring service in combination with such services as a TeleConcierge® service which helps the user to plan a future event, e.g., making a restaurant reservation.

Abstract: Conventional video call attempts encountering a device inoperable according to a desired capability will fail if the receiving device is unable to complete the call at the desired service level (i.e. video). In addition to frustrating the communication attempts between users, another issue is that resources consumed in the attempted but failed exchange are not recoverable, since the call never completed. Accordingly, configurations herein substantially overcome such shortcomings by providing a fallback mechanism that identifies a service level operable by both the initiating device and the receiving devoice, and completes the call at a lower service level operable by both devices. The disclosed approach allows a call to complete at an alternate service level (i.e. voice instead of video) rather than failing the call completely, resulting in a source of lost revenue to the service provider (operator).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which remote installed devices may be assigned various call-in times to contact a host controller. The host may schedule remote devices sequentially across multiple modems. Additional modems may be added to the system as more bandwidth is desired or required. The system may include additional, unscheduled bandwidth to account for calls made by devices outside of the assigned call times.

Abstract: A system and method that provides for an exchange of messages and associated data across a plurality of communication network system entities for one or more communications networks, wherein the system includes one or more distributed message brokers which are in communication with any number of communication network system entities. The message broker may perform message processing, which includes relaying and screening based on prioritization rules which may include customer classification criteria, associated service classification, and system entity classification applied to a message classification for messages communicated over the communications networks.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange apparatus includes a receiver which receives communication establishment requests transmitted from the SIP terminals via the packet communication network, the communication establishment requests is defied by the SIP; and a controller which determines whether or not service IDs to specify arbitrary service information in order to register the IDS in opposite-party identification information areas of the communication establishment requests in the service management table, and registers the service information specified by the service IDs in the service management table, based on the determination results.

Abstract: A method and system for providing prioritized access to a messaging system includes receiving at an access controller for a messaging system a request for connection by a user to the messaging system. The access controller determines whether the messaging system is available. The access controller further queues the request if the messaging system is not available.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchange for connecting telecommunications terminals of subscribers to a telecommunications network, comprising subscriber lines via which the respective telecommunications terminals are linked with the exchange. Said exchange is operated by a first network operator and is used by further network operators. The subscriber lines and subscribers are associated with one of said network operators each and the subscribers select the exchange via the telecommunications terminals to establish a telecommunications link via the respective network operator. The invention further relates to a method for operating an exchange that is used in the inventive exchange.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is coupled to receive call data records from a telephone network (4), for example an SS7 network. The apparatus (1) receives data records of different types having different formats. For each different type of data record, the apparatus (1) has a library (9, 10, 11 ) of type-specific functions associated with the particular type of data record. The apparatus (1) also has a set (8) of common functions available which contains functions that can be utilized for all types of data records, and for managing the system. Instructions are received by the apparatus (1), which indicate which type or types of data records are to be received and which functions are to be carried out on the data records. The apparatus (1) then creates a function list of the particular functions that are to be carried out before executing the particular functions on the received data records and then storing the processed records in a database (12, 13, 14).

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently and accurately processing dependent telecommunications-switch transactions is provided. A subset of tables is identified that will be affected by processing each transaction. The subset is referenced to determine which tables to query. A dependency manager associates an order identifier with each transaction and subcomponent thereof. The respective order identifiers are updated as transactions are processed. When the order identifier updates to a ‘ready’ status, the dependent transaction can be executed.

Abstract: A switch-based feature that dynamically designates a class B line as class A if the call is a GETS call. The line remains class A until a non-GETS call is placed, whereupon the line reverts to its normal class B designation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the carrier that should be used for a particular AIN call. The following information is derived for each call: the originating calling party number, the terminating called party number, the originating LATA, the terminating LATA. Using these components, pre-defined tables are accessed that contain local calling plan information. These tables contain rate center and dial plan information that provides the local calling scope that is available to the originator of the call. Based on the information contained in the tables, the appropriate type of carrier for the call is selected and the call is routed using this carrier.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) digital subscriber line (DSL) head end network includes customer premise equipment (CPE), which delivers DSL service to at least one customer. A voicemail server is disposed remotely from the CPE for storing voice messages left for the at least one customer. A service controller for managing system traffic is coupled to the voicemail server such that when a voicemail message is recorded on the voicemail server an ATM signaling channel is employed to notify the customer premise equipment that the voicemail is awaiting to be retrieved. A method for providing voicemail to customers from an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) digital subscriber line (DSL) head end network is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely switching telecommunication access sources. Exemplary systems include a communication device that is operable to receive a selection, and a micro electro-mechanical cross-connect that is, based on the selection, operable to route a source to an output, such as a subscriber line. The exemplary systems further include a control device that is operable to receive the selection from the communication device, and to provide a selector derived from the selection to the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. Various methods are also included for operating a telecommunications network that includes such systems.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling connection parameters for a communication connection between network elements is disclosed. When the communication connection is initialized, an authorization for the connection parameters of services is requested from a policy control entity which decides on connection parameters to be authorized for the communication connection and on service types which can be provided for the communication connection. A decision message is sent to a communication control network element wherein the decision message comprises the authorization for the connection parameters, service types usable for the communication connection, and an information portion indicating, for each service, whether or not the policy control entity controls a further authorization regarding at least one of the indicated service types in the communication connection. The decision message is enforced in the communication connection by the communication control network element.

Abstract: A method to transport a reference clock signal from a central office to a line terminal in a communication system. The central office retrieves a reference clock signal, and a first counter in the central office is synchronized with the reference clock signal. The counter values of the first counter are regularly transferred as part of physical layer operation and maintenance cells over the optical link. A counter value of a second counter of the carrier unit is adjusted when a counter value is received as part of a physical layer operation and maintenance cell. Clock signals are derived from the second counter for the line terminal. The first counter values are inserted into a group of predefined message fields of the physical layer operation and maintenance cell, and extracted therefrom to adjust the value of the second counter.

Abstract: A switching system control method controls a plurality of area codes by a single telephone switching system. Area codes and office codes are defined in a corresponding relationship, so that there is no overlap of the office codes and each of the area codes.

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: A method of resynchronizing data transfer between a first modem assigned to a central office and connected by a dedicated line a second modem assigned to a remote subscriber following a fault caused by a ringing signal. A ringing ID is set up in the central office modem as soon as a ringing signal is to be sent to the subscriber modem, and a ringing alert is transferred to the connected subscriber modem. Transmission of the pilot tone accompanying the data transfer set by the central office modem is interrupted as is the clock frequency synchronization implemented during data transfer in the subscriber modem with the pilot tone as reference. The two modems are put on hold to save the characteristic parameters for the momentary data transfer followed by transfer of the ringing signal via the dedicated line to the subscriber modem.

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 transaction control system is capable of receiving both real-time transactions and non-real-time transactions. The control system processes the received transactions using a transaction controller, which is capable of processing both real-time transactions and non-real-time transactions. The control system is also capable of identifying a transaction type associated with the received transaction and assigning a priority to the received transaction. Real-time transactions may be assigned a higher priority than non-real-time transactions. The control system can also associate a Quality of Service (QOS) with each received transaction. The control system is capable of queuing a received transaction in a transaction queue if no agents are available to process the received transaction. A highest priority transaction is removed from the transaction queue when an agent becomes available to process a new transaction.

Abstract: Improved techniques and apparatus for estimating the load of a call processing unit within a call processing system are disclosed. This load estimation may occur at a given time, on a periodic or event-driven basis, including upon perception of a call event such as a new call admission request, an admitted call modification request, or an admitted call termination event. The load estimation here is dependent upon at least one of load mean and variance estimates and may be approximated in whole or in part using a probabilistic distribution function such as a Gaussian distribution.

Abstract: A switch-based feature that dynamically designates a class B line as class A if the call is a GETS call. The line remains class A until a non-GETS call is placed, whereupon the line reverts to its normal class B designation.

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 providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.

Abstract: A telephony device such as a digital telephone or personal computer attaches to phone lines and automatically determines both the type of switch to which is connected, and the type of line card in the switch providing that connection. In addition, device functions and data types supported by the switch and line card are automatically determined, providing a fully automatically configurable device. Programming in the device monitors polling messages provided by the switch and line card having different formats to make the determination. The devices switch between two different flow control types supported by the different line cards, while listening for the polling messages. If a message is not received while using a first flow control type, the second is used. The capability of channel, voice or data, is also automatically determined once the switch type is known.

Abstract: The present invention is a telecommunications system having separate switch fabric and switch intelligence. The system comprises a switch fabric, a switch intelligence, and a feature processor. The switch intelligence is logically separated from the switch fabric and comprises a switch fabric proxy, a facility service, a connection manager service, and a call segment instance service. The switch fabric proxy is coupled to the switch fabric via a vendor-specific first Application Programming Interface (API). The switch fabric proxy supports a second API, which is common across all vendors, representing functions supported by the switch fabric. A facility instance, which is instantiated by a facility service using a facility model, represents the bearer and signaling facilities of a party to a call, and interacts with the switch fabric proxy via the second API to communicate with the switch fabric.