Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for correlating transaction messages in a communications network into transaction records. A plurality of monitoring units capture the messages from the links in the communication network. A processor or state machine processes the correlated transaction records and detects calls to particular destination telephone numbers. Transactions affecting particular destination point codes can also be detected or monitored. When a short-term threshold number of calls to a particular telephone number are detected, the detecting monitor instructs other monitors to track calls to that telephone number. If a long-term threshold number of calls are detected for the destination telephone number, then a mass call alarm is generated. Information comprising the highly called destination telephone number, dialed number, destination point code, and top originating point codes is provided to the service provider following the mass call alarm.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems can be used to achieve electronic surveillance when a call is directed to a destination as a result of service processing. For example, in a system involving a redirecting switch and a service platform switch, correlation between calling party identities for outgoing and incoming call legs can be done to identify a hairpin loop scenario. Upon detection of such a scenario, an appropriate electronic surveillance message can be sent to a monitoring device indicating the call's destination. Correlation information can be collected from available call setup signaling parameters. The methods and systems can be applied, for example, to systems involving directory assistance call completion, voice-activated dialing, voicemail callback, and prepaid services.

Abstract: A method, a system and a master terminal for line monitoring in system comprising a telephone network (ISDN), a master terminal (MASTER) connected to a place of reception (PR) of a response and to the telephone network (ISDN), and a slave terminal (SLAVE) connected to an object being monitored (OM) and to the telephone network (ISDN).

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely starting a cable pressure monitoring unit operable for monitoring the air pressure within a pressurized cable route, such as a telecommunications cable route, including a remote computer operable for generating and transmitting a command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, an automated transfer system operable for receiving the command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, and a computer network operable for communicating the command signal from the remote computer to the automated transfer system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for remotely evaluating and/or checking the audio quality of an Internet Protocol based voice communication terminal and a corresponding terminal. Method mainly comprising the steps of providing an IP based terminal with an audio device able to perform measurement and computation on at least some of the digital and/or analog voice signals delivered and/or transmitted within said IP communication terminal, connecting a control terminal to the network to which said IP communication terminal is connected to, retrieving at the control terminal the results of measurement and computation operations of at least one audio quality parameter performed by said device.

Abstract: A monitoring device monitors signaling information on data links of a telecommunication network. The monitoring device also monitors user traffic on voice links of the telecommunication network. From the signaling information and user traffic a measure of user perception quality is derived.

Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method.

Abstract: The router unit is built in the main key telephone apparatus, the office line interface function and the independent power supplying function are deleted in the router unit, and the office line interface units and the power supply unit substitute for these functions. The temperature inside the cabinet, the operated state of the cooling fan, and the temperature and operating power supply voltage Vcc of the PC power supply unit, etc. are detected in the CTI personal computer, and these monitor data are transferred to the main key telephone apparatus and analyzed in the main key telephone apparatus, so as to detect abnormality in the CTI personal computer and take necessary measures against the abnormality.

Abstract: A method for transferring alarms, in which method a pre-determined area (1) is monitored by a monitoring device (24) connected to a subscriber line (10, 12, 14); the condition of the subscriber line (10, 12, 14) is monitored by line testing; when the ISDN subscriber line (10, 12, 14) lacks functionality an alarm is identified in a switching center (20); and from the switching center (20) the alarm is directed to an alarm monitoring system.

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 Service Level Management system is provided. A notification of a service level problem within a combination packet-switching and circuit-switching hybrid network is received by the system. The service level agreement is retrieved and the problem is checked against the agreement to determine if the agreement has been met. The notification of the problem is prioritized with a second notification of a second service level problem based on a number of times the agreement has not been met. Next, a resolution for the service level problem within the hybrid network is determined. The resolution may include a status report, resolution notification, problem reports, service reconfiguration, trouble notification, service level agreement violations, and/or outage notification. The progress of the implementation of the resolution is tracked. Finally, the hybrid network is managed based on the future predicted behavior of the network.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-channel processor board (1a) in a telecommunications system comprises monitoring the fault status of a multiplicity of processor cores (3), each arranged to process one or more speech channels, distributed amongst a plurality of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) (2a-2d) of the processor board (1a). Monitoring comprises receiving fault alarms from fault containing DSPs at an on-board controller (5), and notifying an off-board controller (8) of a received fault alarm including identifying the faulty core(s) and/or associated speech channels. The off-board controller (8) returns to the on-board controller (5) a reset command, whereupon the on-board controller (5) identifies which of the processor cores (3) are faulty and either issues corresponding individual core reset commands or issues DSP reset commands to reset the DSPs (1a-1d) to which the faulty cores (3) belong.

Abstract: An announcement device in an electronic switching system is disclosed. It includes a virtual recorder in an electronic switching system. This allows for using a virtual channel for recording and monitoring voice announcements without occupying a system channel. The device includes a first switch highway (SHW) control section for controlling an announcement, a second SHW control section for controlling the announcement, a SHW channel for passing control signals of the first SHW control section and the second SHW control section, and a switch coupled to the SHW channel for performing an announcement. The first SHW control section and the second SHW control section perform address latching and data latching, respectively, for the announcement. The announcement device thus allows for a recording/monitoring service or a self loop-back test, without occupying a channel among the SHW channels performing announcement services.

Abstract: A DSL communication method is used for interconnecting a user and a center by using a 2-wire telephone line and a DSL communications technology so that the user and the center perform an intercommunication. The DSL communication method comprises the step of monitoring a signal-to-noise ratio of an accepted DSL, the step of judging whether or not the signal-to-noise ratio is within a predetermined range, and the step of interrupting the intercommunication once and thereafter reconnecting the user and the center, when the signal-to-noise ratio is judged not to be within the predetermined range for a duration longer than a reference time.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing signaling units at international gateways in a communications network is disclosed. The signaling units are processed to determine the source and destination networks for the associated calls. The country code, nature of address field, destination point code and origination point code is used to process each message. Data about the messages that pass through the international gateway is stored to a memory device. The data can be recalled for each originating or destination network in the form of performance or quality of service statistics.

Abstract: In a state monitoring method in a subscriber line test in a communication system in which a subscriber telephone and a subscriber terminal are independently connected to a telephone exchange and an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) apparatus through a subscriber line, the telephone exchange to which a first control terminal is connected is connected, through an interface, to the ADSL apparatus to which a second control terminal is connected. A line blocked state due to a line test instruction is notified from one of the first and second control terminals to the other of the first and second control terminals through the interface. Upon receiving the notification of the line block state due to the line test instruction, the other of the first and second control terminals determines that the line blocked state is not caused by a fault. A state monitoring apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trouble report processing system provides an electronic interface between a telephone company's trouble report input system and its trouble report resolution system. The interface eliminates the need for the trouble report input system to generate a paper ticket that must be carried to a trouble report resolution system. An operator receives a call and generates a trouble report which is stored in the trouble report input system as an electronic trouble ticket. The interface continually, periodically or as desired, monitors the trouble report input system for the presence of new electronic trouble tickets. When the interface finds a new electronic trouble ticket, it acquires the information contained therein and uses it to build a trouble ticket in a format that the trouble ticket resolution system can process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for reducing battery power consumed by an integrated services hub supporting a plurality of telephone lines. The status of power to the integrated services hub is monitored, and upon detecting a failure of primary power, each of the telephone lines is polled to detect an off-hook condition. The status of power to the integrated services hub is monitored while polling, and the polling is stopped upon detecting a return of primary power to the integrated services hub or upon detecting an off-hook condition in one of the telephone lines. Polling is performed by placing one of the telephone lines in a standby state and the remaining telephone lines in a disabled state and monitoring the telephone line in standby state for a predetermined amount of time to detect an off-hook condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simultaneous computer screen and voice monitoring from a remote location, and particularly relates to synchronized telephone and screen monitoring of a computer workstation from a remote location. Such monitoring is useful for providing training and assistance to those using such workstations, especially in connection with telephone use, can also be useful for providing an audit trial of significant on-screen events, or can be used as a trigger to initiate other separate events. In one embodiment, graphics primitives are used to determine localized screen changes which are periodically copied from the monitored workstation desktop and sent over a network to a remote, monitoring, workstation. In another embodiment, localized screen changes are determined by full screen comparison, and sent over a network to a remote, monitoring, workstation.

Abstract: An informing system is provided that informs an optimum person to be called of a failure when a failure occurs in an information processing system. The informing system includes operation monitoring means (13) for detecting a failure in the information processing system and for acquiring the failure situation, time monitoring means (17) for acquiring a failure time when the failure in the information processing system is detected by the operation monitoring means (13), device to-be-called lists (22, 23) having a record of the types of the device to be called that is used for calling and the priorities of call numbers corresponding to the failure situation and the failure time, list updating means (18) for updating the device-to-be-called list, and calling means (16) for searching the device-to-be-called list using the failure situation and the failure time as keys and for calling by determining the type of the device to be called and the call number.

Abstract: The monitor is for monitoring the status of a first client telephone, and for sending this status information via a central server to an authorized second client telephone. The central server stores a database of registered client telephones and corresponding client telephones that the client may monitor. A user of a registered client telephone monitors in real time the telephone status of registered friends, family, or co-workers that have agreed to be monitored by the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention intercept and monitor signals of any type associated with a target telephone number in a communications network such that the interception and the monitoring are undetectable. Such methods and systems configure a network by provisioning a route to a collection node in the network, defining a first trigger for intercepting a signal associated with the target telephone number, and by defining a second trigger for routing the intercepted signal on the provisioned route to the collection node. The methods and systems then monitor the signal at the collection node by intercepting the signal based on the first trigger and routing the intercepted signal to the collection node based on the second trigger.

Abstract: Secure monitoring of a target IP telephone may be obtained simultaneously at a plurality of monitoring stations by requiring authentication to be provided by each of the monitoring stations prior to granting access permission to monitor the call. A single request generates multiple duplicate calls to a plurality of different monitoring location, each of which must be authenticated. When the monitored call arrives at each of the multiple monitoring stations a password is used to achieve authentication permission. The password is entered at each monitoring station by a touchtone keypad that generates Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) signals (e.g., each signal is a combination of two tones at different frequencies) which is sent to an IP monitoring center, which grants surveillance permission.

Abstract: Telephone traffic is displayed on a screen so a message source and a message destination are represented by lines, such as vertical lines, for example, each with a label denoting its location. An arrow joining the location lines points in the same direction as the message and has an associated label indicating message identity. Further message source and destination locations are denoted by further lines, such as vertical lines, for example, only if the location is additional to a location already displayed. Otherwise an already displayed line denotes the relevant location. Further labelled arrows denote further messages. Each successive monitored message is denoted by a further arrow at a lower place on the display than the arrows denoting previous messages so successive items are added in a non-overlapping bottom-down manner.

Abstract: For testing a network, a connection between an originating station and an answering station is established over the network. Signals are sent over the connection and if the signals are not correctly received through the connection, the connection is maintained and a message is sent to a monitoring station indicating that a defective connection has been detected.

Abstract: A communications system includes a switch having communications resources such as cards containing multiple devices, each containing multiple ports. The switch also contains an administrative agent that maintains hierarchical state information for each resource within the switch. The state information allows for precise and consistent administration of interrelated communications resources within the switch.

Abstract: A network interface is provided for a host computer system that includes a host computer connected to an external computer network via an external network interface. The external network interface includes a host computer physical layer that provides a connection to the external computer network, a host computer media access control layer connected to the host computer through a media independent interface, and an isolation block connected to the media independent interface between the host computer physical layer and the host computer media access control layer. The isolation block is activated when the host computer enters a sleep state such that the host computer media access control layer is disconnected from the host computer physical layer and the network interface is activated. The network interface comprises a network interface media access control layer that is connected to the media independent interface.

Abstract: Method for registering an overload situation in a telephone exchange system comprising a local exchange (LE), an access node (AN), a concentrating interface (V5) connecting the access node (AN) to the local exchange (LE), a resource manager (RMA), which is part of the local exchange (LE) and a statistical unit (STU), which is part of the local exchange (LE). The method comprises the steps of scanning the concentrating interface (V5) to find a free time slot and detecting by means of the resource manager (RMA) that the concentrating interface (V5) is overloaded. The method further comprises the steps of sending to the statistical unit (STU) a message reporting congestion, based on information existing in the resource manager (RMA), and recording the congestion situation into a traffic measurement report by means of the statistical unit (STU).

Abstract: A client/server interface enables a user to provide information to a server relating to a change in the status of a network resource. The user also identifies an intended recipient of a notification message regarding the status of the network resource. The server then automatically handles the transmission of a notification message to the designated recipient or group of recipients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communications system for providing call interception. A call is received at a switch in the communications system. Responsive to the call involving a service using identification numbers unknown to the communications system, a remote database associated with the service is queried, wherein the remote database contains a plurality of identification numbers. A result is received from the remote database in response to querying the remote database. A call interception service is initiated based on the result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a supplementary call service in a telecommunication network, wherein a negotiation signaling between end terminals of respective call parties is monitored on the signaling path between the end terminals, and a connection information is detected during said monitoring is stored as a preparatory measure. The detected and stored connection information is used to generate a signaling for establishing the supplementary call service, when the supplementary call service is invoked by one of the call parties. Thereby, required connection parameters can be derived from the traffic channel, such that a supplementary service information can be sent at a later stage by using a correct signaling determined on the basis of the stored connection information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remotely actuated splitter bypass function (RASB) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for testing and maintaining copper loops in the digital subscriber line environment. The RASB allows a competitive local exchange carrier to test and maintain the xDSL portion of the copper loop with minimal interference and disturbance to/from the plain old telephone system (POTS) service by bypassing the central office splitter. The splitter bypass operation includes the steps of selecting a copper loop pair for testing, actuating a first relay for monitor mode, actuating a second relay for bypass mode, testing the selected copper loop, and resetting the first and second relays back to normal mode. By applying positive and negative voltages from the tip and ring with respect to ground, various relays can be set (actuated) and reset to provide multiple modes of operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automating the dissemination and processing of alarm reports received from a telecommunications network are provided. Alarm reports, which are provided to network monitors by a network management system, correspond to alarms that are generated by the telecommunications network. Network monitors view these alarm reports and group them together to form event reports. The network monitors then use the event reports to produce trouble reports that are processed by a trouble management system. The trouble management system dispatches field engineers to repair networks anomalies in accordance with these trouble reports. An automated workflow system provides automated alarm report dissemination and processing. The automated workflow system provides a graphical interface to view and manipulate alarm reports and to automatically create and handle event reports and trouble tickets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of intercepting a telephone call in a telecommunications system using at least one switch (12, 13; 24), in which signals in an interception loop (16) in said switch (12; 24) and to which the pulse coded multiplex (PCM) containing the call to be intercepted has been diverted are sampled at high impedance before they are directed to the addressee (14). The signal sampled at high impedance is directed to interception equipment (110) which extracts said call to be intercepted from the PCM. The signals in said interception loop (16) can include voice data and signaling interception data or only voice data, interception data concerning said call to be intercepted being transmitted to said interception equipment over a dedicated line (112).

Abstract: A bi-directional network medium monitor including a tap apparatus connected inserted in a network media, e.g. Fiber Optic (FX) and Twisted Pair (TX), comprising a transceiver and a clock recovery element for each medium and medium monitor connection, and a bi-directional serial data multiplexer which directs the medium data while in the serial data format. Also, the medium monitor may interrupt medium data transfer in either medium direction and insert its data for diagnostic or other network purposes. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention is operable to monitor a network at the maximum data rates currently used while providing no significantly network data delay.

Abstract: A telephone line monitoring and alarm apparatus capable of continuously monitoring telephone line status and activating an audio-visual alarm if the telephone line becomes inoperative, incorporates an integral telephone plug to permit direct plug-in connection of the apparatus to a standard telephone wall jack as a self-contained and autonomous unit without the use of interconnecting cables or cable-plug attachments. An integral dual telephone jack splitter permits the uninterrupted use of standard telecommunication equipment, such as telephones, answering machines, or facsimile equipment while the apparatus monitors telephone line integrity. Micropower circuitry derives electrical power from the telephone line to provide visual ON status indication, and from a battery source independently of the telephone communication line voltage, to provide continuous telephone line monitoring, audio-visual alarms and audio-visual low battery voltage indication.

Abstract: An agent station at a telephone call center has a telephone and a computer platform with a sound card. The telephone has a speaker line connected to at least a microphone input at the sound card. In some instances the speaker line is connected to both the microphone and speaker ports to the sound card. Agent stations in the call center are interconnected on a LAN such that a supervisor at one station may monitor telephone conversations at another station having the connected telephone and sound card. In some instances a file-sharing application is used, allowing a supervisor to view a screen at the agent station as well as to monitor and participate in telephone conversations. The system provides a complete monitoring a service-observing capability in the call center.

Abstract: A performance of a telecommunication feature for a telecommunication customer is monitored. Based on the monitored performance, if an estimate of future performance of the telecommunication feature for the telecommunication customer is determined to be unfavorable, the telecommunication customer is informed of same.

Abstract: Customer premises equipment for a telecommunications DSL subscriber is adapted to provide a lifeline voice service under a fault condition, e.g. a power failure at the subscriber station. The arrangement incorporates a number of switchable local subscriber ports each providing access to a respective telephone instrument, and a router circuit whereby, under normal conditions, voice calls may be routed each to a respective loop port. Under a fault condition the router directs an incoming call to a selected port to provide the lifeline service. Further calls may be barred when such a lifeline call is in progress.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether the state of a telecommunications switch (110) is adequate for a software upgrade or retrofit. A report stream of text messages relating to the state of, and events occurring on, the telecommunications switch is stored (200) by a server (102). Predetermined messages are detected in the report stream, including messages indicating hardware errors, alarms and other errors (202). The predetermined messages have a numerical value associated therewith (204). The numerical value reflects a probability of failure of a retrofit if the message is detected. As the predetermined messages are detected, their numerical values are accumulated into an accumulated value (206). The time period the report stream covers is determined and compared against an expected time (216). If the time period covered by the report stream does not exceed an expected time, then a determination regarding suitability for upgrade may not be reliable (222).

Abstract: Service observing equipment monitors, detects, decodes correlates and generates Call Records and Report Summaries from digital and audio information on an individual call basis on either ANSI or CCITT Signaling System #7 systems controlled by data packets transmitted along high speed data links separated from the telecommunication audio channels. The equipment simultaneously responds to in-band signals such as Automatic Number Identification (ANI) digits and/or Customer Entered digits transmitted over the audio channels. A Call's decoded content is stored as correlated data until the end of a monitored call. Then the stored data is custom formatted into a Call Record and transmitted or printed out to enable study of how trouble free the telecommunication network is performing, detect fraud or credit violations and/or validate billing situations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for on-line monitoring of a telecommunications network comprised of first and second switches. Data is collected at each of the first and second switches and transferred to a central data processing unit. The collected data for each one of the first and second switches is arranged, at the switch, into a first data subset containing log information for each one of the first and second switches, a second data subset containing configuration data for each one of the first and second switches and a third data subset containing operational management information for each one of the first and second switches. The arranged data is then transferred to the central data processing unit where first and second evaluations of operating conditions for the telecommunications network are generated therefrom.

Abstract: An error reporting system in a communication system of the type that includes a PBX (10) and a monitoring system (20) that forwards internally detected errors from the PBX to a customer service center (28). A trouble ticket server (30) is coupled via a switch contact (40) to the monitoring system and is programmed to close the switch contact in an event a user reported error message is received. Upon detecting the contact closure, the monitoring system forwards an external alarm message to the customer service center. Alternatively, the trouble ticket server may be connected to the monitoring system via a serial communication link (52) that forwards a description of the user reported error to the monitoring system. The monitoring system may direct the PBX to run one or more diagnostic tests and forward the results of the tests to the customer service center along with the description of the user reported error.

Abstract: A monitoring system captures and processes messages from SS7 links, to compile call detail records (CDRs) for all interoffice call attempts. The CDRs are uploaded into a relational database. Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) records also are accumulated and uploaded to another relational database. A data preparation operation enhances the records for further processing. This data preparation operation involves translating information in the records into more useful forms, using external reference data regarding the monitored network. For example, the data preparation translates SS7 point codes or NPA-NXX codes in the records to textual names of originating and terminating offices. The data preparation also spreads the usage information from the records to properly allocate usage time to predefined intervals. Another function of the data preparation stage is to form one or more predefined tables from the processed records, for example a table of modified records and one or more specialized summary tables.

Abstract: A communication network (10) utilized for providing communications between a first party and a second party includes a surveillance server (26) within a core network (10) to provide communication surveillance capability. The core network (10) may be a packet data network, and the surveillance server (26) is operable responsive to trigger information to establish communications surveillance. Communication surveillance may be established by creating duplicate bearer packets of those data packets carrying the communicated data between the parties, creating duplicate control packets of those data packets carrying in-band or out-of-band call control information between the parties and within the packet data network, and/or various combinations thereof. The duplicate bearer packets and the duplicate control packets are routed to appropriate authorized law enforcement agencies for providing surveillance.

Abstract: A system and method for generating service quality statistics for a communications network is disclosed. Network monitors capture messages in a communications network, such as an SS7 network, and correlate related messages into records. The records are filtered using a call detail record profile to create call detail records which are provided to an statistics server. The statistics server generates certain statistics for the message records and stores the statistics to a database. A report application recalls the statistics from the database and presents statistics in a reporting format configured by the user. The reports indicate the statistical performance of network providers for selected called or calling telephone numbers or for selected services.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically monitoring and recording incoming and outgoing telephone call parameters and forming a call record in response thereto. The apparatus has a signal conditioning device connected to the telephone line; incoming and outgoing call decoders; line status detector device; clock; and a computation device. The incoming call record comprises the incoming call data such as caller's identity and number, the call start and end times, and the call duration, the outgoing call record comprises the outgoing call data, the call start and end times, and the call duration. The records may be printed immediately as the call is concluded or stored an printed later by account number.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reporting an estimated time at which a task will be processed. A user interface receives a status query and transfers this information to a controller. The controller is configured to receive the status query and based upon the status query, selects a proper task administration system from a plurality of task administration systems. The controller then collects status data from the proper task administration system and from this status data calculates the estimated time at which a task will be processed. After the calculation has been made, the controller then reports the estimated time at which the task will be processed back to the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring service quality using Call Detail Records (CDR) in a communications network, such as a Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) network, is disclosed. Network monitors capture substantially all signaling units in the SS7 network generate a complete record for all calls, transactions and other communications over the network. Users configure CDR profiles that are used to filter the records. A CDR application filters the records by parsing out signaling unit components that have been selected by the user in the CDR profile. The selected message components are then formatted into a CDR record, which is sent to an external system that generates certain statistics for the message records and stores the statistics to a database. A report application recalls the statistics from the database and presents statistics in a reporting format configured by the user.

Abstract: A call progress analysis system is provided which is generic to any telecommunications system with which it is used due to configurable detection parameters. A signal on a channel of the telecommunications system is detected in intervals of changing frequency composition and compared to stored pattern descriptors, each of which defines a different call progress signal. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a frequency mask is computed that is specific to a user-defined call progress analysis class. This frequency mask is used to make the DSP receiver ignore frequencies that are not part of any call progress pattern in a particular class. The frequency mask can be used in a frequency detection mode or an energy detection mode. In either mode, the detector can be customized for each channel.