Abstract: A communication control software application is used in a user communication device having a processor and associated memory. The processor controls a display and a user input device. A communications terminal transmits and receives electronic mail. The communication control software application includes a phone application stored in the memory, the phone application including a business card database storing plural business cards. Each business card identifies characteristics of a particular card provider who electronic mail is to be sent to or received from. One or more of the business cards includes an associated business card agent defined by an agent software routine controlling how electronic mail is communicated between the user and the particular provider. A messaging application initiates communications to transmit or receive electronic mail.

Abstract: An ISDN primary rate interface circuit having a plurality of communication channels, includes a channel division controller. According to predetermined conditions, the channel division controller selects a communication channel out of the plurality of communication channels when generating or receiving a call. The channel division controller provides private branch exchange by enabling allocation of the selected communication channel to an extension group according to a predetermined condition when generating or receiving the call.

Abstract: An alpha-numeric character telecommunications address assignment system which distinguishes between first and second telecommunication addresses which are identified by the same alpha-numeric characters appearing in the same order by including a symbol having a distinctive symbol dialtone intermediate the ends of one of said addressees where the symbol dialtone is not used in an alpha-numeric telecommunications address assignment system so that either the first or second addresses can be selectively accessed by the selective use of the symbol dialtone.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a scripting program, such as utilized on a telephone system adapted to place and receive telephone calls includes a selectable script database having stored therein a plurality of selectable scripts each script having a unique script identifier. The system also includes at least one script branch definition table for routing a call through a logical series of scripts calculated to achieve a desired result. A script branch history record stores a sequence of selectable scripts accessed during a particular call and a call end table stores data on each terminated call. A branch script controller is also included, which is responsive to a predetermined event, to the script database and to the script branch definition table for selecting one of the selectable scripts to be accessed, for allowing the script message text to be provided to a party, for generating the indication of each script accessed and for generating the data on each terminated contact.

Abstract: A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a programmable service node interacting with a programmable switch matrix. The call processing of a call (associated with one or more ports on the programmable switch matrix) is controlled externally when particular triggering criteria is met (i.e., the call requires or desires external control). When the triggering criteria is met, the service node outputs a new call event notification message over a communications link to an external unit and receives one or more messages over the same link. Call control processing is achieved through this high-speed communications link between the programmable switch matrix and the external unit using a communications protocol defining a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the programmable switch matrix which are received by the programmable service node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to acquire a multiparty connection trunk at an office where a communication line can be used effectively when a user while communication requests the multiparty connection over different offices. In order to achieve the above mentioned object, in the present invention, an first exchange that receives a multiparty connection request designating a terminal of a third party located at a different office from a first terminal, communicating with a second terminal located at the different office or other, the first exchange generates a call setup message including, a channel number used for the communication already established, and a call reference that is different from the call reference used for the communication, and sends it to a downstream office. An second exchange receiving the call setup message determines whether or not the second terminal and/or the third party terminal is located at a office where the second exchange is located.

Abstract: The call processing capacity of the of a telecommunications network by forming the communication switches forming the network into respective groups of communication switches. The communication switches forming a respective group of switches are fully interconnected to one another and then each of the communications switches forming a respective group is connected at least one other group of telecommunication switches as a way of interconnecting the groups with one another.

Abstract: The efficiency of a telecommunications network is enhanced by associating each of the communication switches forming the network with an external connection control processor and forming the switches into respective groups of communication switches. The communication switches forming a respective group of switches are fully interconnected to one another and then each of the communications switches forming a respective one of the groups is connected at least one other group of telecommunication switches as a way of interconnecting the groups with one another.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel architecture design for adjunct based architectures. The architecture is built on two key principles; routing traffic based on geographic origin and routing based on customer group. In order to implement the geographic routing, the communications network is split into regions. A method used to achieve optimal regions is described. Further realization of the geographic routing entails a design of the architecture regions, determining the number of adjuncts/region and equally distributing the loads across the adjunct sites. Also, described is the method for optimally homing traffic between the OAS and TAS A and between TAS A and TAS B. The architecture eliminates deficiencies in prior art architectures such as intertoll focusing, architecture instability and reliability.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling establishment of telecommunications call connections in a telecommunications network. The network comprises a plurality of switches each with its own switching processor means, and a plurality of switching processing platforms each comprising at least one call processor. The switches and switching processing platforms are interconnected by a data network. SS7 signaling messages are received in one of the platforms and a call is assigned to a call processor. The call processor communicates with one or more switching processor means for controlling establishment of the call. Call features are processed under the control of the call processor. Advantageously, any call processor can be used for serving any call in the network and can control all legs of a multi-leg connection. Advantageously, in a large network, the number of platforms may be significantly less than the number of switches which reduces the cost and complexity of administration of the network.

Abstract: When it is determined, within a local exchange company (LEC) central office of a switched integrated network access (INA) network, that there are insufficient links to handle a terminating call to a competitive LEC (C-LEC) customer, the apparent status of the C-LEC customer is changed the LEC central office, such that, if the terminating call is received by the LEC central office from a C-LEC switch, the C-LEC customer will appear to the C-LEC switch to be unavailable to receive the terminating call, even though the C-LEC customer is in fact not off hook. The present invention avoids the prior-art inefficiencies associated with having time slots for C-LEC customers permanently nailed up by the LEC central office.

Abstract: A method for controlling bidirectional line protection switching by using a remote defect indication signal. The method includes the following steps of: inserting and transmitting a remote defect indication signal through the opposite directional link, in case the receiving end of working line detects a defect while a traffic is transmitted via a bidirectional link, and then switching to a back-up line by controlling the selector of the receiving station; and switching to the protection line by controlling the selector of the transmitting station, in case the remote defect indication signal is detected via the opposite directional link.

Abstract: A call recording system and method records telephone calls routed by a telephonic switch 104 to agents located at computer terminals 108. A call information circuit 110 associated with the telephonic switch 104 detects information, such as DNIS via a DNIS circuit 112 and/or information provided by the caller, relating to the telephone calls. The computer terminal 108 includes a recording device 114 which records the telephone calls based on the call information relating to the calls. The recordings of the calls are stored in a storage device 116. To facilitate later replaying a call, a call sequence indicator 118 attaches a call sequence number to a recording of telephone call. Alternatively, or in addition to, a call time indicator 118 attaches a time and day indicator to the recording based on when the call was received. An automatic recorder 122 automatically records specified telephone calls based on the call information.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating a central local number portability (LNP) database shared among a plurality of central office switches is instigated when a message from a provisioning system to add a directory number is received by a central office switch. In response to the message, a first central office switch accesses the central LNP database by sending a query message which contains the directory number to be added and routing data specific to the central office switch. Responsive to the query message, the LNP database searches for the directory number received from the first central office switch. If the directory number is found, the database queries a second central office switch to determine if the directory number is in use. If the number is in use, the central LNP database returns a failure message to the first central office switch.

Abstract: To set a night service configuration, a configuration control (KS) in the private branch communications exchange (NK) is activated from an internal or external handset or a switchboard position by dialing a call number. A sequence of numbers then entered is interpreted as an authorization code. The subscriber group for which incoming calls are to be diverted is selected by a sequence of numbers subsequently entered. A further sequence of dialed numbers determines the target handset or the target switchboard position for receiving the diverted calls. The configuration control (KS) then forms an administration and maintenance order, which is transmitted to the operating system of the private branch communications exchange.

Abstract: An electronic exchange apparatus includes a plurality of extension circuits having terminals to which a plurality of extension terminals are connected, a memory table in which a plurality of extension numbers corresponding to the extension circuits are registered, and a control circuit for retrieving an extension number of a destination of an incoming signal from the memory table. The electronic exchange apparatus comprises a change request detector for detecting a change request signal supplied from one of the extension terminals to request a change in contents registered in the memory table, and a memory table changing section for changing the contents registered in the memory table, based on the change request signal detected by the change request detector and information supplied from the extension terminals and representing a content to be changed.

Abstract: Contention free switches, networks and global interconnection systems for routing messages from N input sources to M output destinations are disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for use with a SCWID adjunct to remove A.C. in-band signaling tones from the voice path to a telephone apparatus serially connected to the adjunct. The A.C. signal component is carried on top of the D.C. voltage used to power the telephone. The circuit includes means to monitor the D.C. voltage level and to pass this voltage substantially unchanged to the telephone. The A.C. signal in the form of a FSK tone, received from the central office, is used by the adjunct to provide a subscriber with call feature information such as the identity of a calling party while the telephone is off-hook.

Abstract: A computer system has a power supply including switched and unswitched power nodes supplying the appropriate DC voltages for the computer system's internal circuitry. Portions of the computer system's internal circuitry for receiving external communications are coupled to the unswitched power node. Other circuitry is coupled to the switched power node. Responsive to a request from a remote computer, switching circuitry enables power through the switched nodes, thereby powering the computer system. The switching circuitry can enable the switched power node responsive to a signal from an external device, such as an external modem, or through a signal generated by internal communications hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for routing communications to a terminating station associated with a porting subscriber directory number when the porting subscriber line 14a is cut-over from a donor switch 12a to a donee switch 12b. Upon cut-over of the porting subscriber line 14a, a local number portability (LNP) activation telephone call is placed to a dial-in platform 50 that activates a previously provisioned but inactive LNP database entry for the porting subscriber directory number. The LNP database entry is located in an LNP database 42a at a service control point (SCP) 28a. The dial-in platform 50 also activates a previously provisioned but inactive directory-number-level trigger for the porting subscriber directory number at the donor switch 12a. Activating the directory-number-level trigger for the porting subscriber directory number at the donor switch 12a causes the donor switch 12a to hold a subsequently received telephone call directed to the porting subscriber directory number.

Abstract: A telephone caller is permitted to retrieve his call from the central voice services feature of an unavailable called party, and resume the call progress by substituting a calling feature of his own. In a telephone system including a telephone switching facility and a voice features server, provision is made for enabling a calling party to invoke an appropriate calling party feature such as a ring back feature or an override feature, and thereby subsequently achieve a real time conversation with the called party instead of simply being able to leave a voice message for the called party.

Abstract: A method of processing calls in a telephone switching system which is comprised of voice trunks and a message signalling link for carrying signalling data relating to calls on the voice trunks, and a processor for controlling the switching system. The method comprises the steps of receiving an incoming signalling message on the signalling link, converting the message into signalling messages of a type recognizable by the processor as received from a voice trunk, and including a signalling trunk identification address, looking up in a table a correspondence between the signalling trunk identification address and a voice trunk identification address, passing the messages with the voice trunk identification address replacing the signalling trunk identification address to the processor, and processing the call in the switching system as if the messages had come from the voice trunk.

Abstract: An additional direct inward dialing connection system includes a determining section, announcement machines, and a connection control section. When a direct inward dialing number from a caller is received via an office line or public telephone network, the determining section determines on the basis of the state of a called station terminal whether connection to the called station terminal can be established. When an output from the determining section indicates that connection to the called station terminal is not possible, one of the announcement machines notifies the caller of the reason for connection failure based on the state of the called station terminal. The machine also announces the number of a station terminal that may additionally dialed. When the number of the station terminal is received upon additional dialing performed by the caller, the connection control section connects a call from the caller to the station terminal corresponding to the received number.

Abstract: The controller of the switching system has a switching-oriented program that has two program parts allocated to it. A first program part is designed for processing call number information that has a first plurality of call number digit information. The second program part is designed for processing call number information that has a second, greater plurality of call number digit information. In the method of the invention, the call number plan of a private branch exchange is designed for a public switching system.

Abstract: A radio communication system operates between two radio terminals, and/or between a radio terminal and a fixed terminal through a network. In the present disclosure, the switching of codec-release mode and codec mode in the network is controlled by using a specific control line which is installed in addition to a speech line. Thus, when a radio terminal communicates with another radio terminal through a network, no codec is used in the network, and so, speech distortion and signal delay are not deteriorated due to signal conversion by using a codec.

Abstract: A telephone exchange system of this invention has a terminal connected to an extension by radio. As a radio communication modulation method, a spread spectrum method is used. A speech signal received from a line by the telephone exchange system is exchanged by an exchange switch, and is supplied to a data conversion unit. The data conversion unit causes a serial/parallel converter to covert a serial input signal into a parallel signal. The converted parallel signal is subjected to spread-spectrum modulation in units of parallel bits. The modulated signal bits are added to each other by an adder, and the sum signal is multiplexed on a carrier signal. The multiplexed signal is transmitted to the terminal. Upon reception of the signal, the terminal causes a phase synchronization circuit to generate an inverse spread code corresponding to a spread code, and synchronized with the reception signal, and inversely spreads the reception signal using the generated inverse spread code.

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: A telephone exchange provides dial-up switched connections for customers' broadband data terminal equipment (DTE). In response to data received over an associated narrowband channel, the exchange establishes a broadband transmission path to a broadband DTE associated with the narrowband channel. Upon receiving a number for the called party broadband DTE over the narrowband channel, the switch establishes an interoffice broadband channel for communications between the originating and destination DTE.

Abstract: A virtual private line key telephone system is provided. The system includes a console including a plurality of line keys each associated with a party that can be reached via a switched trunk line. A look-up table means associates the line keys with the telephone numbers of the associated parties. A communication path is established from the console to one of the trunk lines. Signals are sent to the central office via the selected trunk line corresponding to the telephone number in the look-up table means associated with a line key that is actuated to place a calls. The telephone number of incoming calls are determined and compared with telephone numbers in the look-up table. Thereafter the line keys which are associated with the incoming calls are determined. The incoming call is coupled to the console when a line key associated with the incoming caller is actuated.

Abstract: Administration of a communication system having a plurality of addressable communication ports is accomplished automatically, by the system itself. The system is initially provisioned only with unlinked terminal translations. Establishment of hardware translations and their linking to the terminal translations is accomplished by the system automatically, in response to initial calls from system users. Each one of these initial calls informs the system of the call-originating terminals's extension, and thereby specifies to the system the requisite information for linking the originating extension and terminal translation with the call's incoming port. Station moves are also accomplished automatically, through similar calls.

Abstract: In an electronic telephone exchange and a method of connecting ports of the exchange, highways connected to a time switch is divided into extension highways and office line highways and thus highways are connected to discrete terminals of a connector formed with extension interface circuits and office line interface circuits. Input and output terminals are provided at positions corresponding to the discrete terminals so as to connect the extension interface circuits and the office line interface circuits to corresponding highways through the input and output terminals thereby effecting exchange of communication signals through the highways.

Abstract: A virtual private line key telephone system is provided. The system includes a console including a plurality of line keys each associated with a party that can be reached via a switched trunk line. A look-up table means associates the line keys with the telephone numbers of the associated parties. A communication path is established from the console to one of the trunk lines. Signals are sent to the central office via the selected trunk line corresponding to the telephone number in the look-up table means associated with a line key that is actuated to place a calls. The telephone number of incoming calls are determined and compared with telephone numbers in the look-up table. Thereafter the line keys which are associated with the incoming calls are determined. The incoming call is coupled to the console when a line key associated with the incoming caller is actuated.