Abstract: A system and method for estimating the traffic rates of large traffic sources is provided. A class of a most recently selected address is compared to the contents of a register. If the class is the same as the contents of the register, a first counter is incremented; otherwise, the class is loaded into the register and the first counter is initialized. A class of a new most recently selected address is then obtained and the above process repeated. If the count of the first counter reaches a predetermined threshold, a threshold counter associated with the class is incremented and the first counter and register are reset. A different threshold counter is associated with each different class. After a predetermined time period, the traffic rate for a class may be computed from the count of the threshold counter associated with the class.

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (ACD) for routing application, external position and internal position telephone calls to one of a plurality of agents is disclosed. Priority levels of the different types of calls are selectively assigned for each individual agent and can be changed as desired. When a plurality of incoming calls having different call types are received concurrently for a particular agent, the call of the call type having the highest priority as determined for the particular agent is connected to the particular agent first.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering information obtained from an information delivery service database with a location routing number obtained from a local number portability database. A communication is received from an originating user number and directed to an end user number, and a determination may be made as to whether the end user number is a portable number. If the end user number is portable, then the end user number is compared to a plurality of ported numbers in the local number portability database for a match to one of the plurality of ported numbers. If the end user number matches one of the plurality of ported numbers in the local number portability database, then a location routing number is obtained corresponding to one of the ported numbers. In addition, information corresponding to the originating user number is obtained from the information delivery service database. Next, a signaling message is populated with the information.

Abstract: A telephone central office switch (103) provides Centrex features, including intercom dialing, on central-office-to-PBX (133, 134) trunks (123, 124) by using the 4-wire subscriber feature of the Lucent Technologies 5ESS.RTM. switch to administer trunk ports (113-114) that serve the central-office-to-PBX trunks as 4-wire telephone lines and then further administering those trunk ports for Centrex features. Those trunk ports, and optionally also some line ports (115-116), may be administratively assigned the private network numbering plan of respective PBXs so as to enable intercom dialing among those trunk ports, and between those trunk ports and the optional line ports.

Abstract: A selective menu system which enables callers to enter a voice or other menu hierarchy at different levels is presented. Groups of customers are assigned access numbers, which is forwarded into the system as called-number identification, along with other call information. The system discriminates desired voice menu services, according to the assigned called-number information and translates the user's entry into the voice menu presentation hierarchy, to an entry point appropriate for their desired service. Illustratively, banking customers with an interest in securities transactions can enter the overall bank menu specifically at the level relating to the securities activity.

Abstract: Special subscriber features available to a telecommunications subscriber are selected for a particular B-number preassigned to a particular subscriber and stored in a database maintained by a local exchange servicing the subscriber. Whenever an original or incoming call is requested from the local exchange, the involved B-number is compared against the B-number stored in the database. If there is a match, all preassigned subscriber features for that particular B-number are executed prior to the establishment of originating or terminating call connections.

Abstract: A method of operating a network by sharing resources associated with various classes among calls in the various classes according to a state dependent reservation parameter. Nominal amounts of one or more resources are allocated to each call class. When a call of a class of service operating in the network requires resources in excess of those allocated to the class, resources allocated to other classes of service are advantageously shared with the class of service. The sharing is based on a reservation parameter associated with the class of service of the call. The reservation parameter is advantageously a function of the network state. The role of the reservation parameter is to protect underloaded classes (i.e., those classes not using all of their allocated nominal capacity) from excessive borrowing by overloaded classes (i.e., classes using more than their allocated nominal capacity).

Abstract: A distributed, predictive, event-driven processing environment is provided for controlling a number of elements characterized by different states and events. Transitions between states are reflected by predictive, event-driven, independent functions provided in the action subroutines and do not require state searches associated with fixed state machines. Action subroutines can be grouped together in various service groups which require similar event processing. Service groups are invoked by an action subroutine manager which can also access a application programming interface set. Processing of different elements can be spread across multiple processors or a single processor with the action subroutines having no knowledge of the number of processors.

Abstract: Aggregated billing for calls originating from separate telephone stations (12-20) may be obtained by accessing a segmentation directory (54) upon the receipt of the call at an originating switch (40.sub.1) within a telecommunications network. The segmentation directory contains a table that associates each of a plurality of common account numbers with telephone stations having telephone numbers assigned to the same subscriber. The common account associated by the segmentation directory for an incoming call is used in creation of the billing record for charges associated with the call. The charges contained in the billing records for calls associated with the common account number can be combined to yield an aggregate bill.

Abstract: An enhanced call waiting (ECW) feature is provided by a switch serving a called subscriber who, while still on a first telephone call, receives a subsequent telephone call.

Abstract: A multi-processor system has a plurality of processing elements interconnected by a network for transmitting data between the elements. Each of the elements has a status table, indicating that element's view of the statuses of all the elements in the system, and a reliability map, containing a bit for each element in the system, along with copies of the reliability maps of all the other elements in the system. Each element sets the bits in its reliability map to indicate which of the other elements it is in regular communication with. Whenever an element's own reliability map changes, the element sends a copy of that map to all the other elements. Whenever any bit changes in any of the reliability maps held by an element, that element uses the maps to perform a status re-evaluation of all the elements, and updates its status table. This provides a consensus voting mechanism which ensures that all elements arrive at the same view of the element statuses.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, a method and apparatus for decreasing access time of information normally stored in a data base, shared by a plurality of switching systems usually remote from all or most of the systems. One or more bit maps are used to store key indicators for each telephone number for which information may be required. In one specific embodiment, a bit map indicates whether the information is stored locally in the switch, so that an access to the remote database is not required. In another embodiment, a bit map stores an indication of whether the desired information is a default attribute, or one of a plurality of common attributes of the information being sought. Advantageously, the number of data accesses required of the remote data base is sharply reduced, thus reducing the average call set up time.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing interactions of call routing features in a telephone system and implementing the features. Analysis and implementation are based on the recognition that a customer intends a call routing feature to apply to a telephone number which represents either a subscriber to which a call should be routed or a telephone number to which a call should be routed. From this recognition flow two classes of routing features: telephone features, which apply to telephone numbers representing telephones, and subscriber features, which apply to telephone numbers representing subscribers. How a given feature interacts with other routing features depends upon which of of the two classes it belongs to. Routing features may be implemented by keeping track of a telephone number which functions as a subscriber pointer and of one which functions as a telephone pointer and recursively invoking functions for subscriber and telephone features. The recursive invocations permit forwarding chains of any length.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system, the functionality is separated into basic functionality and supplementary functionality. In this system, a plurality of users subscribe to basic functions and supplementary functions. Furthermore, interaction supplementary functions are included for solving interaction problems appearing when more supplementary functions interact. For optimizing the capacity in such a system, only those supplementary functions and interaction supplementary functions that can be possible in a particular telecommunication case are added to the basic function in the telecommunication case aided by a table of information.

Abstract: A call selecting apparatus which comprises a signal receiver section for receiving dial signals in the form of dial pulse or DTMF; a main body processor for effecting call connection processing based on the transmitted digit codes which were received; and a received digit codes accumulating section for accumulating the digit codes received based on the dial signals received by the signal receiver section and which is provided as a peripheral device of the main body processor. The apparatus includes a digit figure decision/call determination section for executing the decision how many digit codes should be accumulated in the received digit codes accumulating section as an accomplished destination telephone number, as well as determining whether the received digit codes correspond to the destination telephone number of a specified call or not. The digit figure decision/call determination section is provided as a peripheral device of the main body processor.

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (10) with a switch (12) which interconnects customer telephonic units (14A) of an external telephonic network (14B) with an internal network of agent units (16) having an automated call servicing system including a voice response unit (18) with a plurality of stored scripts for servicing different types of calls from customers automatically in response to call type identification signals, such as Dial Number Identification System (DNIS) numbers, corresponding to the different types of calls associated with the different stored scripts of the voice response unit (18) to automatically service a plurality of different types of calls without customer prompting while also functioning to respond to customer prompting when no DNIS number or other call type identification is provided with the call.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for routing communications in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having at least one central office switch. The disclosed system routes communications from a calling party having at least one Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each having a corresponding communication address. In operation, communications are routed to a central office switch which is provided in electrical communication with at least one adjunct processor. Thereafter, the desired type of secondary CPE device sought to be accessed is identified in cooperation with storage means which is provided in electrical communication with the adjunct processor. As disclosed, the storage means is provided for storing a directory having a plurality of secondary party calling numbers and corresponding communication addresses.

Abstract: A line card apparatus which provides soft dialtone and automated remote cross-connect capability, comprising one or more line interfaces and a switching matrix which can connect a plurality of lines to the one or more line interfaces. This switching matrix is governed by a controller which can connect each of the plurality of lines to one of the line interface units, and thus, no manual intervention is required. Also, the control unit periodically scans the lines connected to it. If the control determines that there is an offhook condition on any of the lines (whether or not that line is activated), the control notifies the host switch to provide dialtone, which the controller then connects to that line.

Abstract: A voice-recognition unit is interfaced with the connection to an ordering server provided within a switching exchange. This voice-recognition unit recognizes individual key words from vocal utterances supplied by a user via a calling line unit and activates a dialog control device located in the ordering server. As a result, the dialog control device activates a call number memory, a call number corresponding to the recognized key word being read out, which serves to establish a connection to an exchange receiving this order. The voice-recognition unit interfaced with this connection can likewise recognize key words from the answer coming from the calling exchange, whereupon criteria are formed, indicating whether the order had been properly received or not. Different types of orders can be placed quickly using simple dialing and operator control procedures and through vocal utterances.

Abstract: An Advanced Intelligent Network is disclosed which permits even "disconnected" subscriber equipment to complete calls to the business office of the network operator or to 911 by providing soft dial tone to such users for access to only a limited sub-set of network capabilities. In addition, methods and apparatus are disclosed for coordinating the retrieval and presentation of data related to a particular subscriber's call to a Business Office Representative.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using information about a calling party's identity or the importance of a call to control the call waiting signal played to a called party that is busy on another call. Upon determining that a called communication station is busy on another call, information about the identity of the calling party is obtained from the calling station. This information is processed to determine call routing treatment, and particularly to determine whether a call waiting signal is to be played for the call and, if so, what type of call waiting signaling is to be played. The called party can determine information about the identity of the calling party from the call waiting signaling, and thus determine whether to interrupt the call in progress to respond to the call waiting signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing telephone calls that allow the caller to specify priority criteria relating to a call and the recipient to specify priority criteria relating to the treatment of incoming calls. The caller designates priority of the call based on specified priority criteria. The caller's specified priority criteria is stored in a database in the telephone service provider's network, is retrieved from the database when the caller places a call and is transmittal with the call through the telephone network. The call recipient designates specified priority criteria for incoming calls. The call recipient's specified priority criteria is stored in a database and is retrieved from the database in response to incoming calls. The treatment of a call, i.e. connection, termination or redirection, is based on comparison of the caller's specified priority criteria and the call recipient's specified priority criteria.

Abstract: Increased network security is provided in accordance with the invention by using information obtained from the signaling network to determine whether a call has been forwarded, and then using this information to make a determination as to appropriate further call processing, to minimize a communications company's exposure to call forwarding fraud. A determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made on the basis of a call forwarding indicator provided by another portion of the communications network. Where such an indicator is unavailable, a determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made by comparing the telephone number dialed to originate the call with the telephone number (the "connect number") associated with the telephone station to which the call has been forwarded. When the dialed number and the connect number differ, the call is determined to be a forwarded call.

Abstract: An operations facility is provided for administering unsubscribed telephone lines and conserving the use of the phone numbers associated with such lines by associating a plurality of unsubscribed lines with the same telephone number and same switch line termination point. Advantageously, then, a plurality of unsubscribed lines may be inexpensively provisioned with soft dial tone, thereby allowing a potential telephone subscriber to interactively subscribe to and activate telephone service from an unsubscribed line. Moreover, the application of soft dial tone may be used to identify a network access endpoint that is being used by a customer, and thus improve the accuracy of the contents of databases used by the operations facility in the provisioning of telephone service by identifying incorrect data.

Abstract: Processes and devices for enhancing communication management and control in an intelligent network. A Service Management System Information Model serves as the basis for generation of Network Element Images which facilitate data communication between the Service Management System and the various Network elements. The Service Management System Information Model also allows a more intuitive and efficient provisioning interface for the Service Management System user. Network Element Interfaces according to the present invention contain embedded Service Management System/Network Element Interface Protocol functionality and may be employed to interpret the Network Element Images and communicate them over the network to the Network Elements. A Network Element Interface Server allows requests from client programs in the service management system to be queued and prioritized as desired for further efficiency, flexibility and reliability.

Abstract: In methods and apparatus for providing suppressed ringing access to a subscriber line, a connection request is sent from a server to a telecommunications switch and the switch performs a connection routine in response to the connection request to connect the server to the subscriber line. The connection routine is adapted to avoid audible ringing of a telephone set connected to the subscriber line. The connection request comprises a signal indicating a subscriber line to which the server is to be connected and a signal indicating that suppressed ringing access to that subscriber line is desired. The methods and apparatus avoid the need for especially provisioned trunks between the server and the terminating switches by including in the connection request a signal indicating that suppressed ringing is desired and by making the telecommunications switch responsive to that signal.

Abstract: A broadcast and presentation system for synthesis of diverse data transmission signals and multimedia application subsystems. The system includes a signal processing line for transmitting information signals in multiple formats, a plurality of application subsystems for receiving input information in a predetermined signal format, a switching matrix for receiving input signals from the signal processing line and outputting the signals to the application subsystems that are described in destination and identification information that is embedded in the signal. The system further includes converters if necessary for receiving signals in one format and outputting the signals in another format according to the identification information that is embedded in the signal. The switching matrix may be programmable and controlled by a processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for granting to a telephone customer the same features that he has at home when he is away from home. The customer, while being served from a remote switching system, is connected to the home switching system. After the customer is duly authorized, the block of data defining the features allocated to the customer is associated with the call control process for serving the customer from the remote switch. Advantageously, using such as arrangement, calls made by the customer from the remote switch may be billed to the account of the home customer and all features that are available to the home customer are made available for use by the customer when served by the remote switch.

Abstract: A communication system and a call processing method, with which a communication attribute of an incoming call or a held call is recognized, and the call is processed on the basis of matching characteristics of the communication attributes of accommodated terminals. When the call does not match with a given terminal in terms of a communication attribute, an associated message is displayed. When a given terminal is matched with the call within an allowable range of its communication attribute, the attribute of the given terminal is set to match with a requested communication attribute simultaneously with a response to the call by the given terminal.

Abstract: In a telephone system serving premises having a plurality of terminals offering subscriber selectable features, an arrangement is described for changing the active features of the terminals according to whether the associated subscribers are on or off the premises. The arrangement comprises a device for generating signals identifying the subscribers and indicating an "in" or "out" status therefor, a memory for storing data indicating the features required by the respective subscribers in their "in" and "out" status, and a device responsive to the signals and the data stored in the memory to select the appropriate features in the telephone system as the subscribers enter and leave the premises.

Abstract: A method for providing dynamic allocation of trunk circuits of different classes of traffic having different bandwidths in a Digital Private Network Signalling System (DPNSS) link between two switching nodes is disclosed. The trunk circuits are grouped into trunk groups. Trunk Access Class (TAC) is a code used to differentiate different classes of traffic. In the switching nodes, a table exists which defines to which trunk groups access is allowed or barred by TAC whereby bandwidth (or trunks) in the DPNSS link can be allocated by class of traffic. The grouping of trunks into trunk groups and the table which allows or bars access to trunk groups by TAC may be altered from time to time in the switching nodes at each end of the link by management command, to vary the allocation of bandwidth between classes of traffic in the DPNSS link.

Abstract: A network management system for configurating and reading data and states of several network elements, such as telephone exchanges, of a telecommunication network by giving the network elements commands according to their internal command language when at least some of the network elements of the telecommunication network have mutually different internal command languages includes a memory for storing parameters describing the command language of each network element, a generator for generating service requests (Rq) in a network element-independent format, a converter (21, 22, 23) for converting the network element independent service requests into commands according to the command language of the network element which is the target of service by using parameters describing the command language of the network element, and a sender for sending the generated commands to the network element which is the target of service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows different likelihoods of call completion during very heavy call loading conditions to be supplied to different customers. Customers are assigned to different levels of service and these levels of service are used to manage call completion in throughout the telecommunication network during very heavy call loading periods. Thus, a securities broker may have a higher likelihood of completing a call near the close of a trading session than the average telephone customer. However, each caller may be offered an opportunity to immediately increase his or her level of service and thus likelihood of completing a call to the highest available level if a call is not completed at the caller's lower level of service.

Abstract: A method of deciding whether an extension terminal is called or not is provided. The kind of communication is recognized on the basis of a set-up message received from the ISDN. Whether the extension terminal is called or not is decided on the basis of the result of comparison between the kind of the extension terminal and the kind of the communication recognized. There is also provided a private branch exchange comprising: a detector to detect a reception from an analog external line; a digital interface to connect a terminal corresponding to a procedure for a digital line; and a judging circuit to judge whether the terminal corresponds to a procedure for an analog line or not, wherein when the judging circuit decides that the terminal corresponds to the procedure for the analog line when the reception is detected by the detector, the digital interface transmits the set-up message to the terminal.

Abstract: In a personal communication system in which a call is originated from a calling side terminal equipment using number information allocated to a called person and the call is processed on the called side terminal equipment as a personal call, the system comprises: a transfer requesting section disposed on the called side terminal equipment, for transmitting a transfer request signal to the calling side terminal equipment when a predetermined transfer request is inputted during a processing of the personal call; and a notifying section disposed on the calling side terminal unit, for notifying the calling person that transferring the personal call is requested. Therefore, when a personal call is incoming, if the designated specific called person is absent, the calling person can recognize the absence of the called person and then select cancellation of the personal call, proxy answer by another person, or transfer of the personal call, according to the calling person's will.

Abstract: The present invention provides real time call control within a telecommunications network, using a call selection processor separate from the switches carrying the call, which responds to incoming calls and uses information carried in the associated signaling messages to determine what application processor, if any, should be involved on the call. One embodiment of the present invention includes a call selection processor called a signaling director", or "SD" for short, for recognizing certain signaling messages, typically SS7 initial address messages (IAM's), as the messages flow through the signaling network. Alternatively, particular signaling messages may be recognized in a signaling message processing element within the signaling network, such as the signal transfer point (STP) associated with the switch that receives the telephone calls, and a copy of those particular messages forwarded to the SD.

Abstract: A call origination is made through a common carrier of the minimum line cost among a plurality of common carriers on the basis of input dial data. When a particular common carrier number is detected in the input dial data, a call origination is made preferentially through the particular common carrier corresponding to the carrier number. Thus a reduction in the communication cost using an ordinary LCR function is further made. In addition, an access to a desired common carrier is made by a very simple calling operation similar to the ordinary call operation.

Abstract: In a method implemented by a telecommunications switch, a call request is made for a called party having a predetermined directory number. A determination is made if preconnection services are to be provided for the called party, and if such services are to be provided, a service node to provide the services is identified. A further determination is made if the call request is from other than the selected service node. If the call request is not from the selected service node, the call request is routed to the service node for preconnection services. If a call request is from the selected service node, the call is routed to the called party. This permits a selected service node to originate a separate call to the called party so that services can be provided on behalf of the called party in response to a call request made by a calling party. This method allows preconnection services to be provided without the requirement of multiple directory numbers being assigned to the called party.

Abstract: A security node disposed in the telecommunications network connecting calling and called parties transforms information (which can be voice, data, facsimile, video and other types of calls or messages) encrypted in a first format to (a) encrypted information in a different format or to (b) non-encrypted information, and vice-versa. The node is accessible from any location connected to the network. By routing calls or messages originated by the calling party and destined for the called party via the security node, and providing appropriate control signals to the node, the information may be encrypted only over a portion of the transmission path between the parties, and clear over the remainder of the transmission path. Alternatively, the information may be encrypted in different portions of the path using different encryption algorithms.

Abstract: External invocation of features on a switching system (10) from a network (18) is made possible by aliasing otherwise-unused network numbers that are assigned to the switching system within the network numbering plan to feature-access codes of the switching system's internal numbering plan, in the switching system's call processing arrangement (200) that uses stored definitions of syntax (320, 350) and grammar (400, 410) of the internal and network numbering plans. The aliasing is accomplished as follows. The syntax definitions of the internal numbering plan include definitions (312) of individual feature access codes, while the syntax definitions of the network numbering plan include definitions (312) of the aliased network numbers, which either are the same as the definitions of the corresponding feature access codes or direct the aliased network numbers to be translated into the corresponding feature access codes.

Abstract: The routing of calls of different classes of services as well as the administration thereof is enhanced by associating each such class of service with a number of parameters common to such services, such that each class of service, as well as a new class of service, may be readily identified by its respective parameter values. Accordingly, the routing and administration of calls of different classes of services may be handled in a systematic, straight forward manner so that basic network capabilities may be made available to various services using an administratively defined menu like structure. In addition, such class of service advantageously partitions network bandwidth allocation, call routing priority, voice/data transport, and traffic data registers into respective classes of services.

Abstract: To facilitate the processing of an incoming telephone call associated with a respective telecommunications network service an initial address message identifying the incoming call is intercepted before the message is presented to an associated toll switch that will process the call. The intercepted message is then examined in order to identify the toll switch service logic that will process the call. The resulting identity is then appended to the message and that result is then passed to the toll switch so that the identified service logic may be invoked to process the call in accord with the requested service.

Abstract: This invention relates to arrangements for simplifying the transfer of a source of telecommunications signals, such as a telecommunications customer line or telecommunications trunk, from a first port of a switching system to a second port of that same switching system. Such a transfer requires a transfer of a connection in the outside plant, usually in a manhole, and establishment of a connection from the outside plant to the second port, usually in a distributing frame of the switching system. Translation data is stored for the second port to indicate availability of the second port for assignment to a customer, and, in one embodiment of the invention, to identify the customer to be connected to that second port. In accordance with that embodiment of the invention, the customer line to the first port is tested in the manhole to verify the identity of that customer; the line to the second port is tested to see if the translation data for that second port comprises the same customer identification.

Abstract: A virtual private network connecting system in a virtual private network is formed by accommodating in a public network a plurality of PBX units each assigned a unique private office number (ON), the system executed by the units comprising in each of the PBX unit.

Abstract: A private branch exchange system includes a switch accommodating a plurality of tenants, each having a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of trunks coupled to the switch. The trunks are coupled to communication lines, and a plurality of routes coupling the private branch exchange system to a zone are formed via the communication lines. A memory stores, for each of the tenants, information indicating routes which can be used. A controller discriminates a tenant sending a call received via the switch and selects an optimal route from among the routes which can be used for a discriminated tenant by referring to the information stored in the memory, so that the call received is sent out to a corresponding one of the trunks which is connected to the optimal route.

Abstract: The standard exchange message interface (EMI) message record generated for interexchange telephone toll calls is enhanced via the addition of a primary interexchange carrier (PIC) indicator, whose value provides an indication as to whether a terminating subscriber has a particular interexchange carrier as his/her PIC. The PIC indicator may be used by the interexchange carrier when bills are rendered for its subscribers--for example, to provide different billing treatment for calls that were made over that carrier's network to terminating subscribers whose PIC is, in fact, that very carrier, as opposed to calls that were made to subscribers with a different PIC.

Abstract: Method for overload prevention in a switching center of a communication network. For optimizing the overload prevention of a switching center, the operating personnel assign fixed priority levels bundle-by-bundle to the ports of the trunks. Since this allocation is often implemented in an unprofessional manner, the behavior of the switching center is correspondingly unfavorable in case of an overload. In order to avoid this problem, the priority levels for ports of trunks are automatically assigned by the software of the switching center in accordance with the method for overload prevention.

Abstract: A call-processing arrangement (200) views a network numbering plan as a language in the mathematical/computer science sense and takes a lexicographic approach to call processing. Numbering plan syntax is defined by data in tree data structures (320, 330), and numbering plan grammar is defined by data in matrix data structures (400, 410). The data structures are used by numbering plan-independent functions to determine the meaning of call-associated digit strings and to specify the treatment (e.g., routing, features,) to be given to the call based on that meaning. A string-identification function (340) applies collected digits to the trees and matrices to find leafs (312) that define digit strings that make up the number. A string-action function (341) uses the definitions in the found leafs to form a call-route-specifying or call-feature-specifying index (254) for the call.

Abstract: Which call feature module, if any, is invoked in response to a user's input of a feature access code is made dependent upon the context in which the feature request is made, in a call-processing arrangement (200) that uses stored definitions of syntax (320, 350) and grammar (400, 410) of the network numbering plan. The syntax definitions are definitions (312) of individual symbol strings, including the feature access codes, and include the string's associated virtual node-point identifier (VNI 334) which indicates the string's influence on feature selections. A VNI (254) resulting from the VNIs of symbol strings included in the entire symbol sequence input by a user serves, along with parameters (1230, 1231, 1232) of the context, as a multi-dimensional pointer into a matrix (1202) of feature numbers (1203). The feature module (205) which corresponds to the feature number pointed to in the matrix by the pointer is then invoked and executed to provide a corresponding call feature.

Abstract: A communication network uses a network switch number (NSN) and a class-of-service classification (COS) code to route calls through the network. When a call is received at an originating switch of the network, the dialed number is used to select the NSN which identifies a network terminating switch which connects to the called party. The network uses received call signaling information and stored trunk information and possibly network database information to determine the COS code. The COS code is also used at the terminating switch to identify the type of service trunk to connect to the called party. In another feature, only the network switch number is used to route the call over the network. In accordance with yet another feature, the COS code may be used to select specific network trunks without requiring the specification of the NSN.