Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are presented to provide local citizenry with the ability to initiate emergency calls on their mobile device through a deployable cellular communication resource, such as a switch on wheels. The mobile device may be provisioned with a primary preferred roaming list (PRL) and a secondary PRL. The secondary PRL is accessed only when a switch-to-secondary-PRL flag is set in the primary PRL. Upon detection of the switch-to-secondary-PRL flag, the mobile device may enter an emergency call mode which only allows the mobile device to initiate an emergency call. If no network listed in the primary PRL and no emergency network listed in the secondary PRL is available, the mobile device may pause for a predetermined time before repeating attempts to access a network in order to conserver battery power until cellular communication networks are repaired or temporary networks implemented.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the event-driven analysis of media contents derived from customer interactions is disclosed. Content analysis is executed exclusively on those segments of the interaction media that are relevant in a given context. The steps of the analysis are carried out either in a static or dynamic manner where less demanding on resources analysis type is performed prior to more demanding analysis type.

Abstract: In a PBX environment, a middleware module abstracts communication cards so that the plurality of channels associated therewith are grouped for efficiency. The middleware module recognizes unoperational channels, and restarts the hardware associated with the channels as well as allowing conferencing and transferring calls when the PBX switch does not support same. Preferably, for outgoing calls, the middleware adapter controls the state of interfaces for all hardware adapters and tries to deliver calls over active interfaces. In case of failure, the middleware adapter investigates and makes a decision if the call should be delivered over another adapter. In this way, redundant and highly available solutions are implemented transparent to application and interface drivers. For incoming calls, the middleware adapter accepts calls from all hardware adapters and presents these calls to applications as if these calls are issued by one adapter.

Abstract: A system and method of using voice to access information in a call center is disclosed. Providing a voice response server to handle requests from local and remote administrators allows a call center to be managed even when administrators are physically distant from the call center. The voice response server may adhere to VoiceXML to process requests for call center information from administrators.

Abstract: A method for discriminating a telephony content signal into a first category or a second category is described. The method comprises a filtering procedure for obtaining from the telephony content signal a band signal set comprising one or more band signals, each band signal being associated with a respective frequency band at least one of said band signals being a sub-band signal (n) associated with a sub-band of an overall frequency band of the telephony content signal. Furthermore a determination procedure is provided for determining a band signal variation value (LLn) and a band signal strength value (TLn) for each band signal (n) of said band signal set. Finally, a discrimination procedure discriminates whether the telephony content signal is of the first category or of the second category.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for finding an estimate of the delay of a signal travelling between two points. A quantity is evaluated from the signal at a final number of time instants, at both a reference point and a reception point. The values are quantized by comparison with a threshold adapted to a typical magnitude of the quantity. If the quantized values from the reception point are shifted back by the true delay with respect to the quantized values from the reference point, then certain co-occurrences of quantized values have very low probability. Hence, the best delay estimate is that shift which yields the least number of low-probability co-occurrences.

Abstract: Monitoring criteria is received that corresponds to a usage quantity for a plurality of services. Each of the plurality of services is provided over ones of a plurality of different communication systems. Actual service usage information is received for the plurality of services. The actual service usage information and the monitoring criteria are compared. An electronic notification message is sent when the monitoring criteria for one or more of the plurality of services is satisfied.

Abstract: In a communications network having plural nodes, a first node receives a capability list that has a predefined format and includes plural entries identifying corresponding data processing functions supported by one or more nodes along a communications path of a communications session involving the first node. The first node adds at least one additional entry into the capability list in response to determining that the first node supports a data processing function that is not identified in the capability list.

Abstract: A method for estimating a quality of experience of a user receiving an information content stream distributed through a telecommunications network, includes: collecting a plurality of measures of at least one characteristic parameter of the information content stream during the distribution thereof through a telecommunications network; deriving from the collected measures an abstract representation in terms of gaps in the information content stream, wherein a gap corresponds to a value of a collected measure below a predetermined threshold; determining a temporal distribution of the gaps in the information content stream; and calculating an index of perceived quality of experience based on the temporal distribution of the gaps in the information content stream, wherein the index of perceived quality is related in a non-linear way to the temporal distribution of the gaps.

Abstract: Surveillance of IP telephony may be performed through the use of conventional telephone equipment, according to principles of the invention while preventing giving indication to the monitored phone by alerting the user of the monitoring phone to such surveillance use prior to pick up by an agent for engagement of the monitoring phone in response to the alert. Such alerts may assume many forms such as ringing, visual indicators, data readouts, activating ancillary equipment, various flags, etc. This alert prior to surveillance is distinct from alerts used for normal non-surveillance calls, which the monitoring phone is capable of receiving.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a first detecting unit and a second detecting unit. The a first detecting unit detects whether a facsimile communication is established or not with a communication destination in a prescribed time after a selection signal is sent to the communication destination with a communication line held. The second detecting unit detects a state of the communication line with the communication line held when the first detecting unit detects that a facsimile communication is not established.

Abstract: A method of locating a cellular phone on an aircraft includes detecting a cellular phone transmission of a passenger on an aircraft, logging a subscriber number and a serial number of the phone, transmitting the subscriber number and the serial number of the phone to a common carrier for caller identification information, attempting to match the caller identification information with a database, displaying a name and a seat number of the passenger if a match was found between the caller identification information and the database, and recording all information related to the cellular phone transmission.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the performance of a modem connection. The method includes connecting a line interface to a communication link carrying signals of a modem connection, between a pair of end modems, collecting signals passing on the communication link, between the end modems, through the line interface, determining quality or transmission characteristics regarding the modem connection, responsive to signals collected through the line interface, and displaying information on the determined characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the power consumption of a telephone (10), (310). A power saving mode is automatically switched on or off for the telephone (10), (310), depending on: at least one given timespan, within which the telephone (10) is predicted not to be used or another terminal (380).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling an overload condition in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method calculates a call target rate by at least one core signaling network element for at least one edge signaling network element. The method then sends the call target rate by the at least one core signaling network element to the at least one edge signaling network element, when a total queueing delay of the at least one core signaling network element exceeds a predefined high threshold in a measurement interval, wherein the call target rate is used by the at least one edge signaling network element in an overload control that throttles signaling traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling an overload condition in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method calculates a retry-after-timer parameter by at least one core signaling network element for at least one edge signaling network element. The method then sends the retry-after-timer parameter by the at least one core signaling network element to the at least one edge signaling network element, when a total queueing delay of the at least one core signaling network element exceeds a predefined high threshold in a measurement interval, wherein the retry-after-timer parameter is used by the at least one edge signaling network element in an overload control that throttles signaling traffic.

Abstract: A method for removing a noise signal from an input signal that is received. In the method, the amount of energy of the input signal is detected, a noise signal included in the input signal is estimated, an intermediate output signal is generated by removing the estimated noise signal from the input signal, and a final output signal is generated by amplifying the amount of energy of the intermediate output signal based on a difference between the amount of energy of the intermediate output signal and the amount of energy of the input signal.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for transmitting dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones is disclosed. The method includes sending an indication to a mobile device to start a cyclic ring tone including ring and pause periods. The delay incurred to send a DTMF tone to the mobile device is estimated. The server schedules the transmission of the DTMF tone to be received at the mobile device during a pause period of the cyclic ring tone and the DTMF tone is sent as scheduled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to varying load and modulation applied to each of multiple frequency subchannels based on anticipated attenuation experienced by those subchannels. Communicating data includes identifying a static component of a transmission medium for wideband communications having at least two subchannels determining a function of noise is attenuation versus frequency for the static component selecting wideband modulation schemes for the subchannels based on the function determined and communicating a data signal over the subchannels. The transmission medium includes a medium other than a copper telephone wire between and including a carrier facility and a termination of the copper telephone wire at an access point at a user premise and copper telephone wire in a cable riser in multitenant units and multi-dwelling buildings. Independent demodulation functions may be applied to at least two of the subchannels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for measuring the delay between a source device and a destination device on a network. The source device may generate a timestamp and encode the generated timestamp as an in-band tone sequence. The source device may transmit the in-band tone sequence to the destination device. There is also disclosed a network device comprising a timer to generate a timestamp, a tone generator capable of encoding the timestamp as an in-band tone sequence and a tone transmitter to transmit the in-band tone sequence.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for dynamically troubleshooting voice quality. The method comprises generating a request to intercept a predetermined data stream on a network, acquiring a replicated copy of the intercepted data stream responsive to the request and analyzing the replicated copy of the intercepted data stream.

Abstract: Customer problem reports are collected and analyzed in order to monitor, analyze, and proactively prevent the same or similar problems from reoccurring in the future. A selection of customer problem reports are received and may be prioritized for analysis. Associated network elements may be scheduled for monitoring and/or testing at a greater frequency. Network elements may be the subject of new problem reports which may be dispatched to technicians for proactive analysis and repair.

Abstract: An enhanced Voice eXtensible Markup Language (VXML) based voicemail system that has a distributed architecture and methods for implementing enhanced VXML based voicemail systems are disclosed. The voicemail system includes a media server, which is in communication with a telephone network. The media server is adapted to invoke a voicemail service of the distributed voicemail system and adapted to render at least a first portion of a Voice eXtensible Markup Language (VXML) page. An application server, which is in communication with the media server, is adapted to generate a VXML page and provide the VXML page to the media server. The XVML page has a tag embedded therein, and the media server processes the tag. A voicemail-account monitorer, which monitors at least a portion of the voicemail system, is invoked by the media server processing the tag.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for clearing hang calls in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method detects a failure of an adjacent call stateful network element in a signaling path, identifies one or more calls that are affected by the failure of the adjacent call stateful network element, tests a media path of the one or more calls for activity and clears the one or more calls that are affected by the failure of the adjacent call stateful network element if the media path of the one or more calls is inactive.

Abstract: A contact centre (120) is desirably tested for operating performance by simulating calls in the contact centre (120) in an automated manner. Simulation of calls is achieved with the use of virtual agents that mimic the behaviour of human agents that ordinarily deal with caller enquiries in a contact centre (120). A set of virtual agents, which can mirror their human counterparts, can be generated and assigned activities and behaviours that simulate the behaviour of human agents. These virtual agents can thus be enlisted in testing campaigns placed within the contact centre (120), and assigned to answer calls as if they were in fact human agents, in accordance with the usual operation of the contact centre environment.

Abstract: A method for collecting communication information, a test method and a network device are disclosed. The method for collecting communication information includes: presetting a command for collecting diagnostic information about voice quality, and obtaining Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signals; and judging whether the DTMF signals match a preset command for collecting diagnostic information about voice quality, and collecting information according to the preset command if determining that the DTMF signals match the preset command. A test method is also provided, and, accordingly, a network device is provided. Through the technical solution under the present invention, diagnostic information is collected quickly after a voice quality problem occurs.

Abstract: A monitor access is gradually applied an removed from a communications circuit, including a digital subscriber line (DSL), by a gradual monitor access (GMA) technique, in which a variable impedance element is gradually applied to the communications circuit until the monitor can be introduced to the communications circuit without data disruption.

Abstract: A method is used to intercept call contents for provision of the contents to a monitoring authority for example the police or security services. The method identifies a network device in a bearer path to act as an intercept access point. This device is then instructed to copy the contents and to forward them to a collection node for inspection by the authority.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for telephony based remote location monitoring are provided. A telephone network receives the caller request to listen only to a remote location telephony device. The telephone network allocates a listen only channel between the caller telephony device and the remote location telephony device. The telephone network activates a microphone at the remote location telephony device via the listen only channel. Then, audio detected at the microphone is streamed via the listen only channel to the caller telephony device, such that the telephone network enables a caller to monitor a remote location through the remote location telephony device with minimized allocation of telephone network resources.

Abstract: A job status monitoring system includes a job output unit configured to output a job to a job managing unit of an operating system. The job is issued in response to a job issue request. A status of the job output to a printer is monitored by a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit controls the job managing unit by monitoring the status of the job. An application or utility determines the status of the job by obtaining information about the job from the job managing unit and performs display control based on the determined status of the job.

Abstract: Modifications made to physical plant in maintaining a communication network may be tracked by receiving notices corresponding to incidences in which physical plant is modified in performing maintenance tasks on a communication network and associated time information, receiving information specifying a total number of maintenance tasks performed on the communication network during a defined time interval, and storing information associated with the maintenance tasks in which physical plant is modified and the total number of maintenance tasks performed on the communication network in a searchable database.

Abstract: The data processor of the present invention can play back video and audio synchronously from an optical disk, on which video and audio data are stored in different areas. Each area consists of one or more unit areas. The data processor includes: a playback control section for giving instructions on how to read the video and audio data and how to play back the video and audio based on the read data; a head for reading the data from one of the unit areas after another in accordance with the instructions; and audio and video buffers for retaining the audio and video data read. The playback control section instructs that the audio data be read from a predetermined one of the unit areas to the audio buffer memory, and then instructs that the video data, which is to be played back over first and second periods of time, be read from a number n (where n is an integer equal to or greater than two) of unit areas to the video buffer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards “skip” and “differential” recording techniques for recording values of network parameter to a log in a lossless manner while reducing storage resources used to record such values. The counter monitor of the present invention monitors and records values of counters at time intervals to generate a counter log provided via temporary or permanent storage. The counter monitor compares a reading of the value of the counter to a previously obtained value of the counter. If the value of the counter has not changed, the counter monitor records only the timestamp to the counter log, thereby “skipping” the recording of the unchanged value. If there is any change in the value of the counter, then the change in value of the counter, i.e., a “differential” value, along with the timestamp is stored in the counters log. To further reduce storage resource usage, the counter monitor also stores changes to the timestamps as differential changes in time values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and monitoring the status of telephone calls in a Next Generation Telephony Network (NGTN) is disclosed. The method detects protocols occurring between two or more network elements of a telecommunication circuit and control protocol used to initiate or to react to the events generated by the network elements. One sensor is connected to the telecommunication circuits to sense raw call progress signaling information indicative of an event relative to the call on the monitored line. Another sensor is connected to call control channel of a NGTN network element. The sensors are connected to a call processing system. The call processing system includes a call progress event analyzer module consisting of a call progress event processor and a call progress state machine, a NGTN event processor and a NGTN state machine. The call processing system also includes a protocol independent call processor module and a multi protocol analysis module.

Abstract: A tone signal received in a telecommunications network is bandpass filtered based on an identified type of the received tone signal, providing a bandpass filtered tone signal. The tone signal is also bandstop filtered based on the identified type of the received tone signal, providing a bandstop filtered tone signal. The bandpass filtered tone signal and the bandstop filtered tone signal are analysed and the received tone signal is quantified based on the analysis result.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for preparing for a service disruption are provided. Information relating to an activity at a target location is received. Upon receiving information relating to at least the activity at the target location, stored data related to the activity and the target location are gathered. A probability of a service disruption at the target location based on at least the stored data related to the activity and the target location is assessed and the target location is monitored. Upon detecting a change in services associated to the target location, an alert is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a centralized architecture for call processing. Embodiments utilize voice over Internet protocols (VoIP) to carry calls from a location at which calling services are provided to a centralized call processing platform providing call processing functionality, such as calling party identification, call validation, call routing, and connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Call processing gateways may be utilized to provide plain old telephone service (POTS) analog line interfaces for use with a plurality of telephone sets disposed for use at a location and at least one wide area network (WAN) interface for providing high speed data communication to a centralized call processing platform. PSTN interfacing by a call processing platform may be provided as a VoIP connection to the PSTN and/or as POTS trunking. Call processing platforms may provide for data sharing, aggregation, and/or analysis across multiple facilities served.

Abstract: A method is provided in which information about one or more telecommunications session characteristics is stored in a communications history log. A prediction is then made for the occurrence of telecommunications session characteristic in the future on the basis of the information stored in the communications history log.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for providing dedicated television advertisements based on speech recognition of telephone conversations. The home user makes telephone calls using a landline, cellular phone or VoIP phone. The user may also be watching TV. While doing so, the user is able to see advertisements on part or all of his TV screen, based on words and phrases he may have used during his telephone conversation(s). The system and method may be provided by a triple play or quad play service provider which associates its users' telephone calls with TV advertising. Once the user sees the advertisement he can get more information concerning the advertisement by clicking on it with a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or TV remote control, or by using any other navigation method the TV system provides, to see additional details concerning the advertisements.

Abstract: A method for presenting a reason prompt for a video call failure includes: acquiring, by a network-side entity, a value of reason for a video call failure determined by an originating switch, with which a calling terminal is communicated; determining a reason prompt corresponding to the value of the reason for the video call failure; and presenting the reason prompt to the calling terminal. An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a device for presenting a reason prompt for a video call failure and an originating switch apparatus. Reason prompts for video call failures can be updated dynamically at the network side, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of reason prompts for video call failures presented to a calling subscriber, and improving the experience of the subscriber. Meanwhile, the operator can update a reason prompts for a video call failure in time, and the flexibility in operation at the operator side is enhanced.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods presently disclosed generally relate to categorizing penalty costs associated with calls. More specifically, embodiments relate to identifying penalty costs generated in response to setting up calls in a network and determining one or more reasons for the penalty costs. Further still, embodiments relate to generating one or more reports of penalty costs. Further yet, embodiments relate to notifying specified personnel of the penalty cost report(s).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for third party monitoring and control of calls are disclosed. For example, a method performed at a signaling node includes receiving a signaling message indicating an attempted call communication to a called party device from a calling party device and determining if the called party device is subscribed to a call monitoring service. In response to determining that the called party device is subscribed to the call monitoring service, sending a notification message to a monitoring third party device associated with the called party device, wherein the notification message indicates the attempted call communication between the monitored called party device and the calling party device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide availability of information on a network wide basis, with the network or information technology (IT) fabric spanning a wide range of institutions and other sources of information, including correctional facilities, without regard to which jurisdiction the source of information belongs, e.g. police, courts, federal investigation agencies, public databases etcetera. Embodiments provide an electronic based capability to identify useful information and for locating, collecting, compiling, aggregating, distilling, and/or reporting robust data.

Abstract: A system may include a destination device that receives information about a caller via a first outgoing leg and exchanges content with the caller via the first outgoing leg. The system may further include a network device that receives an incoming call from the caller, establishes the first outgoing leg, connects the incoming call to the first outgoing leg so the content can be exchanged, monitors the first outgoing leg, selectively establishes a second outgoing leg in response to the monitoring, and connects the incoming call to the second outgoing leg.

Abstract: Architecture that employs a signal (e.g., audible or inaudible sounds) to detect if endpoints of a communications session are sufficiently close to each other to induce echo, and then control (e.g., muting) is applied to one or more of the endpoints to prevent echo. The signals can be played and detected from the endpoints or a central conferencing component such as a multiple control unit (MCU). The MCU can provide support for legacy endpoints as well. When echo is detected, the offending endpoint(s) can be controlled to mute one or more onboard devices such as a speaker or microphone. The device(s) can be muted from a remote component or for a local component or locally by the endpoint user. A notification can be sent that notifies the endpoint user that the mute operation has been applied or should be applied to one or more of the local devices.

Abstract: The present application relates to monitoring non-local originating calls in a telecommunication system having a local network part and a non-local network part. A monitoring centre is attached to an Intercept Access Point in the local network part. A monitoring request comprising an external target identification is received from the monitoring centre to the Intercept Access point. A call is set-up of from an originating subscriber in the non-local network part, towards the local network part. An Initial Address Message comprising the originating subscriber's identity is received to the Intercept Access point from the non-local network part. A match is found between the Initial Address Message and the received target identification. Monitoring information related to the matched target is transferred from the Intercept Access Point to the monitoring centre.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the vulnerability of the telecommunications system to unauthorized use that is easy to implement and that can reduce the instances of unauthorized access even during periods when telecommunications personnel are not able to give attention to the traffic on the system. The telecommunications system collects statistics of each user's pattern of telecommunications usage. Typically, these statistics will be in the form of, say, the average number of calls per day or the average number of calls per day on given days of the week. It may also include the mean busy hour for the given days of the week. Moreover, daily averages may be taken not only for all calls but also for all calls of a particular type, e.g., of all international calls. These statistics are taken for a reference period, such as the preceding thirty days, and the corresponding quantity for the current day is also computed.

Abstract: A method for initiating a remote trace route includes establishing a communication session between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes detecting at the first endpoint a quality impairment in a communication sent from the second endpoint. In response to detecting the quality impairment, the method includes sending a request from the first endpoint to the second endpoint for the second endpoint to initiate a trace route from the second endpoint to the first endpoint. Upon receiving the request at the second endpoint, the method includes initiating a trace route from the second endpoint to the first endpoint.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for remotely evaluating and controlling VoIP subscriber terminal equipment using test calls, status queries, and usage statistics are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes initiating test calls with VoIP subscriber terminal equipment and obtaining test call results. The method further includes analyzing usage information regarding the VoIP subscriber terminal equipment and determining subscriber terminal device usage results. The method also includes remotely querying the VoIP subscriber terminal device and determining subscriber terminal equipment state information.