Abstract: A novel method and system for testing network connections is provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a network, such as the Internet, which is connected to subscriber devices in a subscriber site via an service provider, a gateway in a telephone company central office, and a DSLAM in an open plant interface. The system also includes a test apparatus operable to inject itself in the connection between the subscriber devices and the Internet at the gateway. The test apparatus can mimic the service provider and, thereby connect directly with the device at the subscriber site and try to test network connections for issue between the service provider and the device. The test apparatus can also mimic the customer and, thereby connect directly with the device and the test network connections between the service provider and the device.

Abstract: A splitter unit including a chassis containing splitter cards. The splitter unit includes a central processing unit mounting location. The splitter unit also includes test access devices that are inactive when the central processing unit mounting location is vacant. The splitter unit is configured such that the splitter cards provide passive signal splitting even when the central processing unit mounting location is vacant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for connection verification. An embodiment includes a DSL based system, with a tester resident at a central office respective to a DSLAM. When a problem is encountered by a subscriber, the tester can be readily connected to the DSLAM to allow performance of tests on the connection between the tester, the DSLAM and the Internet. If such tests are successful, then service provider can eliminate that portion of the link as the source of the connectivity problem. If unsuccessful, the service provider can repair that portion of the connection, and thereby potentially obviate the need to send a technician to the subscriber premises.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems prioritize network devices and components that more likely result in a network outage by evaluating their current and historical outage information relative to a dynamically-generated, statistical threshold based on such outage information. The prioritized list of network devices can be organized by, for example, quantity of outages, number of outage minutes, and/or number of customer-outage minutes so as to provide diagnosis sequences by type of network device, network location, type of component within the network device, and/or by operation during particular time periods/events.

Abstract: A test emergency response location (ERL) is used to exercise an emergency response (ER) service. The test ERL does not have any connections to the real external PSAP or OSAN and only routes the call to synthetic phones or agents. A 911 call is intercepted and routed to an ER application to make a decision on which emergency location identification number (ELIN) to use. The ER application recognizes the call originator as a synthetic phone or agent and routes it through the test ERL. In one embodiment, the test ERL is configured so that a second synthetic phone or agent is registered as the PSAP endpoint and a third synthetic phone or agent is registered as the OSAN endpoint. In a properly functioning system, the ER application forwards the call to the second and third agents. When the second and third agents receive the calls, the system is considered to be functioning properly.

Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-interface communications device testing system is disclosed. The system simultaneously controls communication channels of a communications platform though multiple Interface Protocols, such as TDM, IP and Telephony Application Program Interfaces. The system also allows the creation of multi Interface Protocol Test Scenarios, and displays the results of executing the test results from all Protocols Interfaces and records and displays results.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone system includes a plurality of telephone exchange apparatuses generate call information events specifying a plurality of telephone terminals to which call connections are made, a server apparatus which is connected to the plurality of telephone exchange apparatuses through the transmission paths, and a management unit executes call-state management of the plurality of telephone terminals, wherein each of the plurality of telephone exchange apparatuses include a determining unit which determines presence or absence of disconnections of call connections among the plurality of telephone exchange apparatuses and a transmitter which adds identification information to the call information event to be transmitted to the server apparatus, and the server apparatus includes a controller which controls execution and stop of the call-state management by the management unit based on the identification information, when the identification information is added to the received call in

Abstract: A splitter card having integral test access devices. The splitter card allows test access to be readily provided at any location where splitter cards are typically mounted (e.g., a splitter chassis).

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for screening a work order to diagnose and to isolate trouble in a telephone system. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring work order information, the work order information representing the work order. The work order information may be annotated with at least one of a date, a time, and an origin of the work order. The work order information is filtered for a screening criteria, with the screening criteria having a corresponding action. The work order information is updated according to the corresponding action, with the corresponding action updating at least one of a telephone system status code, a telephone system route code, and a narrative portion describing the telephone system. The process screens the work order for known indications of trouble in the telephone system.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the connection-related communications data registered by a network node, where the connection-related communications data are used for the calculation of charges includes establishing at least one predetermined test communication connection. By clearing the predetermined test communication connection via the network node and registering a time of an event, the system and method registers the time of at least one additional event for calculating charges at a predetermined measuring point lying outside of the network node. A systematic temporal measuring error is determined. A reference data record containing time-related data and a connection-related communications data record generated is generated. The method corrects the time-related data of the reference data by the ascertained systematic temporal measuring error and compares the reference data record to the connection-related communications data record to determine if a difference lies within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a communication system. The method includes storing proactive maintenance tasks and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. Deletion of a proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has not been sent to a technician dispatch module which dispatches proactive maintenance tasks to technicians. Exclusion of proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has been sent to the technician dispatch module.

Abstract: A test system and method for scheduling and running multiple tests on a single system residing in a single test environment. The test system comprises a processor operable to receive a request to run a selected test on the system at a selected start time, and determine a time slot for the selected test. The test system is also operable to identify any scheduled tests to be run on the system within the time slot, and identify any conflicts between the selected test and any scheduled tests. If no scheduled tests are identified or if no conflicts are identified, the processor is operable to schedule the selected test to run on the system at the selected start time. If conflicts are identified, the processor is preferably operable to determine an alternative start time for the selected test that avoids any conflicts. Various exemplary embodiments of the test system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a switch having a controller implementing software to control switching operation and a memory for storing a database of software upgrade risk factors. The software upgrade risk factors define whether a software upgrade is to be attended by an on-site technician or by a remote monitor. The system further allows for downloading to the switch a software upgrade for the controller if a software upgrade risk factor for that software upgrade has a predetermined value.

Abstract: Performance parameters of a switch may be ascertained by observing its behavior during a brief interval of high call volume. This may be achieved by accumulating call messages on a queue before allowing them to be processed together as a group. Without increasing the rate of incident calls, an accumulation of messages is accomplished by altering the amount of time that elapses between transferring the accumulation to a processing queue. In one implementation, test calls are accumulated in call input queue. Ordinarily, these calls are transferred to a second queue for processing every few milliseconds (the transfer period). By increasing the transfer period, an increased number of calls are stored in the call input queue before being transferred to the second queue. This allows a larger number of calls to be processed by the telephone switch in a given cycle and, hence, allows the switch's operation under increased call volumes to be observed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for automatically notifying a network administrator of a mismatch between a current software version level in a telecommunications switch and a corresponding entry in a database. The apparatus includes a computer for querying the telecommunications switch for the current software version level of the switch and for querying the database, wherein the database is associated with a switch translation system and the database includes an entry associated with the software version level of the switch. The computer compares the current software version level of the switch with the database entry associated with the software version level of the switch.

Abstract: A splitter card having integral test access devices. The splitter card allows test access to be readily provided at any location where splitter cards are typically mounted (e.g., a splitter chassis).

Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-interface communications device testing system is disclosed. The system simultaneously control communication channels of a communications platform though multiple Interface Protocols, such as TDM, IP and Telephony Application Program Interfaces. The system also allows the creation of multi Interface Protocol Test Scenarios, and displays the results of executing The test results from all Protocols Interfaces and records and displays results.

Abstract: Automatic generation of loop make-up eliminates the need to match terminal names. A furthest feature from the origination of a particular pair range is determined. Using the determined furthest feature, one or more loop make-ups is generated by running the loop make-up for the circuit from the determined furthest feature to the origination of the pair range. Loop make-ups can be generated for a pair range as a whole or for individual complements in the pair range.

Abstract: A broad aspect of the invention provides a method of providing mobility support for a mobile node's traffic. The method involves maintaining context information for the mobile node on each of a first plurality of network nodes carrying the traffic; and proactively transferring and maintaining at least a portion of the context information in a plurality of network nodes which are not carrying the traffic, but which are candidates for carrying the traffic due to mobility of the mobile node. The method typically further involves defining and maintaining a definition of the second plurality of network nodes. In one embodiment of the invention, this involves adding a particular network node to the second plurality when the particular network node becomes a candidate for carrying the traffic, removing a particular network node from the second plurality when the particular network node is no longer a candidate for carrying the traffic.

Abstract: A method of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a communication system. The method includes storing proactive maintenance tasks and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. Deletion of a proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has not been sent to a technician dispatch module which dispatches proactive maintenance tasks to technicians. Exclusion of proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has been sent to the technician dispatch module.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of failures in a video and data network is provided. The method includes discovering a failure in the video and data network. The discovered failure is the root cause of the failure. Next, the root cause failure is correlated with the plurality of failures to determine related failures generated as a result of the root cause failure. The related failures are then suppressed. One or more user's affected by the root cause failure are determined. If the root cause failure is automatically resolvable, the root cause failure is automatically resolved.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for capturing call processing failures in a telecommunication system occurring at a telecommunication switch control processor as the failures occur. The system includes a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication system. The computing system includes one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions; a memory associated with the computing system for storing the instructions; a storage device adapted for communicating with the computing system for storing data; and a communication device associated with the computing system for establishing a communication link between the computing system and the telecommunication system.

Abstract: An agent workstation in a computer-telephony system is controlled to provide a fault tolerance technique. A telephony device driver in the workstation is controlled by a server process in the workstation. A first client process interfaces a controller to the server process. The controller is also interfaced to the server process by a second client process, the second client process serving as an alternate interface between the controller and the server process in the event of failure by the first client process. Control of the server process by the controller is transferred from the first client process to the second client process in the event of failure by the first client process.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for updating data in a database associated with a wireless network. The wireless network includes Lucent equipment that operates pursuant to a digital retune of the wireless network. The method includes receiving as user input at least two files, a first file containing CAM/TPPTM data and a second file containing DCCH information. The method also includes generating one or more scripts to update call-specific data in one or more Lucent ECP forms in the database using said first and second files. Next, the method includes inputting the scripts to an apxrcv script, and executing the apxrcv script to update call-specific data in the Lucent ECP forms. The method can also be implemented in a system or on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method and system for use in a central office (CO) having network elements for communicating information between a central office technician (COT) stationed within the CO and network element monitoring personnel or monitoring center stationed remote from the CO. A local area network (LAN) having a hub stationed remote from the CO and a fiber communication line connected to the hub is provided. The fiber communication line has one end extending to the hub and the other end extending within the central office. The hub is operable for communicating with network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO. A node transceiver is coupled to the other end of the fiber communication line within the central office. A wireless transceiver is operable with the node transceiver for providing a communication link between a COT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via the local area network.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided in which a connection is established, via a first wireless network, between a first wireless device located at a first location and a diagnostic control unit located at a second location. The first wireless device is coupled to an equipment at the first location the operations of which to be remotely tested by the diagnostic control unit. One or more diagnostic requests are transmitted, via the first wireless network, from the diagnostic control unit to the equipment through the first wireless device to perform one or more diagnostic operations on the equipment. The requested diagnostic operations are performed on the equipment to generate diagnostic results.

Abstract: A group wiring device which has built-in light emitting means and switch mechanism coupled with wire pair receptacle thereof. The switch mechanism is normally on a “CLOSE” status but can be switched to an “OPEN” status when a plug mates with the wire pair receptacle. When the switch mechanism is “CLOSE” and a testing voltage is applied to the circuit of the light emitting means, the light emitting means will emit light for assisting wire pair identification. After the process of wire pair identification is complete, the group wiring device is deemed to be in normal operation, that is, to perform ordinary signal transmitting functions. The wire pair receptacle will then be mated with plug of network cable so as to drive the switch mechanism to become “OPEN”. Therefore, the circuit of light emitting means becomes an open circuit and provides no function at all.

Abstract: Customer calls for maintenance and repair for customer equipment are handled automatically in a computerized network. A central dispatch office receives customer trouble calls. A number of available technicians, in the same geographic location as the customer, can accept the assignment to clear the customer equipment problem. Each of the technicians has a hand-held wireless computing device that communicates wirelessly over the Internet with the main server computer at the central dispatch office. The main server computer automatically creates a service call for each customer problem and these service calls are communicated wirelessly over the Internet to the technician's hand-held device. Various screens on the hand-held device allow the technician enter job completion data, and order parts and equipment, and carry out customer contact maintenance functions. The main server computer invoices and bills the customer for the completed work.

Abstract: A system (10) for cataloging and detecting network faults, includes a communication interface (12) for receiving a fault message from a network. A parser (14) is connected to the communication interface (12). The parser (14) parses the fault message for an event type. An associative database (16) is connected to the parser (14) and stores a tally for the fault message.

Abstract: A system for testing a communication network includes a test system and a cross-connect system. The test system generates a plurality of independent low data rate test signals with first data rates. The test system combines the independent low data rate test signals to generate a high data rate test signal. The test system then transmits the high data rate test signal from the test system to a shared test port. The cross-connect system transfers the high data rate test signal to a cross-connect matrix that connects the independent low data rate test signals to the communication network. The cross-connect system then receives the independent low data rate test signals from the communication network into the shared test port. The cross-connect system transmits the high data rate test signal from the shared test port to the test system. The test system separates the high data rate test signal into the independent low data rate test signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes predicting local loop proactive maintenance tasks, storing local loop proactive maintenance tasks, and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. The at least one search criteria could include at least one of Proactive Maintenance Application number, Trouble Ticket Number, area code, status, Wire Center, district, manager, and supervisor. The at least one search criteria could also include at least one of technician, date, address, description, technician narrative, disposition code, priority, intermediate status code, work code, authorization, cable, and line pair. The embodiment also permits sorting and editing the local loop proactive maintenance tasks.

Abstract: A method of controlling a local process that forms part of a first processing entity such as a signalling gateway, said first processing entity maintaining a plurality of associations with a plurality of remote processes in a second processing entity such as a application server. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a failure message from a remote process indicating a fault affecting an association linking the local process with that remote process; queueing data messages destined for that remote process; controlling the transmission of an acknowledgement of the failure message so that data messages pending on the association are received at that remote process before the acknowledgment of the failure message; and initiating a traffic diversion to set up an alternate path between said first processing entity and said second processing entity for queued data messages.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with pressure or flow sensors along fiber optic cables. Proactive maintenance of the fiber optic cables is predicted using the information associated with pressure or flow sensors. The embodiment may further include generating and dispatching work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. The embodiment may also include predicting proactive maintenance of telephone lines using information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and using information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes a system for predicting proactive maintenance of a telephone system local loop. This embodiment includes a Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module, a database stored in memory, and a processor.

Abstract: A method for emulating a terminal for testing a telecommunication network has the terminal being assigned a user interface programmable by a user for executing a communication sequence, the programming of the user interface having first of all the provisioning of a multitude of keywords from which the communication sequence for the terminal is compiled, a program code being correlated with each keyword. Moreover, an entry mask on a display device is provided into which the user enters a series of at least two keywords for compiling the communication sequence. Finally, the program codes that are correlated with the keywords entered into the entry mask by the user are linked to give an executable program. A test apparatus for testing the telecommunication network has a storage device in which the keywords are filed and from which the communication sequence is compiled for participation in the communication, with the program code being correlated with each keyword.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus that implements the Bell Communications Research (now Telcordia) Specification of Signaling System No. 7, chapter T1.111.3 algorithm requirements in hardware in a manner that significantly improves throughput capacity and reduces event processing time. The software driven implementations of the MTP-2 algorithms satisfy the requirements of T1.111.3, but only a limited number of communications channels may be processed therewith. The number of channels that may be processed by the present invention, however, is only constrained by the available logic resources and gate delays. In the described embodiment of the invention, 64 channels of data may be processed by the inventive gate array formed to execute the MTP-2 algorithm. To achieve such results, the MLSC inventive gate array includes circuitry that parses incoming signaling into three different groups.

Abstract: A testing method is used to perform a test of an information notification service function of a switching apparatus which can provide the information notification service in compliance with a predetermined information notification service specification. The testing method comprises a step of performing an information notification service function between a testing apparatus which can emulate a plurality of types of information reception terminals for different information notification service specifications and the switching apparatus which can connect a subscriber side two-wire in a subscriber line circuit in the switching apparatus to the testing apparatus.

Abstract: A telecommunications system central office includes a piece of central office equipment and a cross-connect frame that is configured to provide a connection point to the piece of central office electronic equipment. An electronic looping system is connected between the piece of central office equipment and the cross-connect frame. The electronic looping system includes electronically controlled switches that are operable to loop selected transmission paths between the piece of central office equipment and the electronic looping system, to open selected transmission paths between the piece of central office electronic equipment and the electronic looping system, to loop selected transmission paths between the electronic looping system and the cross-connect frame, to open selected transmission paths between the electronic looping system and the cross-connect frame and/or to pass-through selected transmission paths between the piece of electronic equipment and the cross-connect frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically establishing a set of calls in a network is presented. A first device determines a maximum number of simultaneous calls that can be processed by a second device. The first device then determines a time interval necessary to allow calls to be established in a set of channels associated with the second device. Using the maximum number of simultaneous calls and the time interval previously determined, the set of calls are established.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with defective line pairs. Proactive maintenance is predicted based upon the information. The information associated with defective line pairs may be weighted and combined with information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer or with information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Work orders describing the predicted proactive maintenance may be generated and dispatched.

Abstract: In order to provide in-region, interLATA service, a bell operating company (BOC) must provide telecommunications service to competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC) in a non-discriminatory manner. To demonstrate that the BOC service to the CLEC is non-discriminatory, the BOC provides a series of performance measures to regulatory agencies and to the CLEC. A system and method is described for ensuring the quality of those performance measurements. The system and method provide for identifying sub-processes within a performance measurement process (PMP), identifying critical audit points within each sub-process, and implementing control measures corresponding to each critical audit point. The system and method help to eliminate the need for time-consuming and expensive third-party audits of the PMP.

Abstract: In order to check the functionality of a switching center (VST) which is to be tested in a telecommunications network in which user information on the subscriber connections is interchanged via intermediate interfaces (NK1, NK2) with a respectively connected switching center, and signaling messages for controlling the subscriber connections and for administration of the intermediate interfaces (NK1, NK2) are interchanged via signaling interfaces (SSS), original signaling messages which have been transmitted from the switching center (VST) and in which the switching center (VST) is stated as the source point are received, the original signaling messages are each converted in accordance with a predetermined rule into signaling messages in which the switching center (VST) is stated as the destination point, and the signaling messages which have been converted in this way are sent to the switching center (VST).

Abstract: A system and method to monitor call data for a number of cellular phones simultaneously and in real time. A UNIX-based diagnosis software allows flexibility and versatility in call monitoring and functionality testing of a cellular switch. The diagnosis software scans and parses, in real time, the call data received from a cellular switch so as to enable a technician to monitor (and diagnose) the radio environment of a cell when a call is placed from that cell. Additional cellular switch-specific data such as, for example, radio channels assigned to a cell phone call, handoff signals communicated, power level for a radio link, etc., may also be monitored on a per-call basis. Thus, simultaneous and real time testing of more than one radio link can be performed by a technician in a cellular service provider's network during, for example, routine maintenance of a cellular switch, installation and testing of a new switch, addition or reconfiguration of a cell site, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods allowing a third-party to redirect a telephone call according to an intended call recipient's preferences are disclosed. Calls received at a switch for a subscriber are suspended while a query is sent via AIN or other data networks to a communications center device associated with the called party number. If the call is intended for another user of the subscriber's telephone, a third party, the actual recipient of the call notification may redirect the call to the intended user without directly interfacing with the calling party. The user may select one or more options provided to route the call according to predefined profile information provided by the intended call recipient.

Abstract: A group wiring patching device which has built-in light emitting device and filtering device coupled with wire pair receptacle thereof. When a testing voltage is applied to the circuit of the light emitting device, the light emitting device will emit light for assisting wire pair identification. The filtering device can minimize or even eliminate loop back shorting resulted by the circuit of the connected light emitting when communication signals or low voltage signals being applied thereto. Therefore, the group wiring patching device of the present invention will be able to perform ordinary signal transmitting functions without the need to remove the light emitting device after the wire pair identification process is done.

Abstract: An outage reporting method and system are disclosed for a telecommunications system. The outage reporting system includes a processor to record a data element value. The data element value indicates a type of outage that occurred in the telecommunications system, such as an administrative or network outage. The data element value can be sent to a network management system for use by the telecommunications provider, for example, to determine whether or not the telecommunications user should receive a refund.

Abstract: A loop responder enables a telephone technician to use a test device to automatically and accurately validate the performance of a telephone subscriber loop from the originating equipment to the subscriber demarcation point without any human assistance at the central office. The directory number for the subscriber loop under test is automatically identified and stored without any human intervention such that a No Test Trunk can be automatically used and test results can be automatically associated with the respective line record information. Data is collected and then transmitted in suitable manner and stored in non-volatile memory for collection by and/or transmission to a central host processing system. Particular aspects of the aforementioned collection and storage processes relate to the transmission of the data packets via several input/output (I/O) ports. Either modem or DTMF communication can occur over the same pair of tip and ring wires.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a telephony control fault tolerance technique is provided. In one embodiment of the technique of the present invention, a computer-telephony agent (CTI) workstation is provided with a primary telephony control communication path between primary telephony control mechanism external to the workstation and a telephony application interface (TAPI) process, for use in controlling a telephony device in the workstation, internal to the workstation. In the event of failure of the primary path, a secondary telephony control communication path may be established between the TAPI process and a secondary telephony control mechanism that may be comprised in the workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus that integrates a plurality of disparate systems. a common control interface is presented to a user of the apparatus. The user employs an inputting device to enter data required by the plurality of disparate systems. The inputted data is inputted to the common interface. The data is then transferred from the common control interface to at least one of the plurality of disparate systems.

Abstract: A multi-protocol, multi-interface communications device testing system is disclosed. The system simultaneously control communication channels of a communications platform though multiple Interface Protocols, such as TDM, IP and Telephony Application Program Interfaces. The system also allows the creation of multi Interface Protocol Test Scenarios, and displays the results of executing The test results from all Protocols Interfaces and records and displays results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining market statistics for communication service providers. Determinations of whether or not a sampling of telephone numbers are assigned by a particular service provider are employed to determine market statistics. A message which is used to obtain a response. The response is interpreted to determine whether or not the telephone number associated with the wireless device is assigned. Alternatively, a sampling of telephone numbers are dialed over a digital line. Based upon the result of the dialing, it is determined whether or not the telephone numbers are assigned by the service provider. Telephone numbers which have been ported between service providers in networks which employ local number portability can be accounted for in the determination of market statistics. A telephone number portability database can also be employed for determining whether or not a telephone number is assigned by a service provider.