At+t Corp.

Gerhard Buhler

Christos Alkiviadis Polyzois

Bethany Scott Robinson

Thomas A Dunn

Belkacem Manseur

Charles Grayson

Gerald Kersus

Donald E Levy

Yen-Ching Wendy Chen

Lily Mui

Norris Brown

A control device attached to both a primary packet device (such as a PC-based packet phone) and a network (e.g., telephone network or packet network) provides improved reliability for packet telephony and network maintenance. The control device may have its own network address separate from that of the packet telephony device. The control device enables monitoring of the operation of the packet telephony device and basic maintenance, such as re-booting of that device if it is no longer responding to input commands.

Monitoring of a packet telephony device via a control device

Disclosed is a capability for differentiated in-network or off-network call treatment (e.g., different call features or services) on a per-call basis using the value of the carrier identification code (CIC) passed from an access provider to a second carrier in a call set-up message associated with an incoming call. In addition, the caller selection information (CSI) parameter may be used in conjunction with the CIC to provide differentiated call treatment. The CIC and CSI parameters together provide information about the call and the caller which can be used for, e.g., directed marketing activities aimed at non-presubscribed callers using the second carrier's network on a per-call basis.

Method of using carrier information for enhanced call data processing by

A billing method and server for gathering and processing billing information for Internet telephony connections. Originating and terminating clients and Internet Service Providers ('ISPs') are identified by the server from information contained in digital packets. The digital packets also identify the beginning and ending time of the connection, as well as enhancements chosen for the particular connection, and choices of information to be displayed during the connection. The billing server transmits selected information to each client during the connection, such information including packet routing, packet density, elapsed time of connection, and available and selected enhancements. The server constructs a billing detail for each connection and constructs a billing record for each ISP and client over a specific time period. The server periodically forwards each billing record to its associated ISP.

Methods and apparatus for gathering and processing billing information

An operator service terminal system connected to a telephone system switch retains the identifications of calling subscribers. Each operator terminal includes memory for storing at least one more subscriber identification than the number of loops served by that terminal. Once an operator services a call, it is not necessary to signal the telephone system switch to identify the caller if the identification is still in memory. In emergency situations, if a call is terminated before a caller can convey the location of the emergency, the calling party identification information can be used to call the caller back or can be relayed to emergency personnel for appropriate action.

Method and system for processing emergency service calls

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Little Silver, NJ, United States of America

Gerhard Buhler