Mci Communications Corporation

Fujitsu Corporation

Mci, Inc.

Mci Worldcom, Inc.

Jingsha He

Tomohiko Taniguchi

William J Johnson

Takafumi Chujo

Randle D Hall

Antonio Magnaghi

Yi-Shang Shen

A system includes a communication network having any number of separately addressable elements. An analysis device can test packet data paths between these elements by eliciting particular traffic patterns. For example, the analysis device may elicit similar traffic patterns in both forward and reverse communications with a remote element and analyze these communications to detect network misconfigurations.

Detection of network misconfigurations

Available bandwidth measurement with variable speed probing and zoom-in/zoom-out technique

A system and method of load balancing a network having a plurality of client systems and servers. The load balancing system and method distributes requests from the client systems to different servers on a wide area network by selecting the most optimal server for a specific client request. The client request for a server is received from a client system and the destination point of the client request is resolved in part by a load balancing server selector. The client request is sent to a load balancing server based on the resolved destination point and one server out of a subset of the plurality of servers is selected based on a predetermined criteria, such as network traffic congestion or server load, and a conduit to the client system and the selected server for transmission of the client request is provided.

Method and system for wide area network load balancing

An immediate audio or data response billing information method and system allows an authorized caller or called party to a toll telephone call to receive the billing information record of the toll telephone call either during the toll telephone call or after the toll telephone call, but prior to termination of the requesting party's telephone connection to the telephone system. An authorized caller or called party may request billing information by entering a valid DTMF sequence. The billing information is extracted from the originating switch, which maintains the billing information record for the call, upon request. If the authorized party requesting billing information is the caller, the billing information is then provided directly to the caller from the originating switch by audio or data stream means. If, however, the authorized party requesting information is the called party, the billing information is provided to the terminating switch from the originating switch before being provided to the called party by audio or data stream means.

Method and system for providing immediate audio or data response billing

A system and method for securing access to network elements by user elements, wherein the network elements and the user elements are coupled to a network. A network security server coupled to the network, wherein the network security server provides network security mechanisms to control access to the network elements and protect network resources and information. The network security mechanisms include: an authentication server responsible for authentication of the network users to network elements, a credential server responsible for controlling the network user credentials or privileges, and a network element access server responsible for controlling of access to the network elements by the user elements. A registration database facilitates administration and management of access to the network by the user elements. The registration database stores user profiles and administrative information to enhance effectiveness of the network security mechanisms. Each of the user elements and the network elements includes a separate local access control means as an interface that is provided at each user element and operates in conjunction with the authentication server, the credential server, and the network element access server to facilitate secure communication of data over the network.

Security system and method for network element access

A methodology for determining optimal calling periods of an automated telephone system allows a user of the automated telephone system to access billing plan and detailed rate information prior to completing a toll telephone call. The user may request billing rate information for the applicable billing rate plan by entering an entire valid DTMF sequence. The optimal call periods billing information is extracted in accordance with callee and caller parameters and when the toll telephone call is to be placed. A user accessing billing rate information can use the billing rate information to determine prior to completing the toll telephone call when the optimal billing period will occur. The user can then make an informed decision as to when to complete the toll telephone call. Upon request, the user is automatically connected to the called party and the toll telephone call is completed.

Method and system for determining optimal call periods in accordance

A secured network permits a single sign-on ('SSO') of users to a plurality of network elements. Data structures, procedures and system components that support the SSO functionality in a distributed networked environment are included in the secured network. The SSO functionality can be implemented and integrated into an existing network platform or used as the backbone protocol to new network installations. DCE-based features as well as ERA and EAC can be utilized as the foundation for the implementation. The SSO functionality may be implemented and integrated without requiring significant low level development or major modifications in a network.

System and method for single sign-on to a plurality of network elements

A method and system for detecting and preventing the fraudulent use of phone services in which the recipient of a telephone call is responsible for charges only after they agree to accept the telephone call is disclosed herein. The system and method includes a mechanism for detecting the initiation of a telephone call, wherein associated with the telephone call is a telephone number. The present invention searches a database for a prior occurrence of the telephone number. If the telephone number is found in the database, the information in the database associated with the telephone number is analyzed to determine if the telephone call is fraudulent. The system and method compares the information in the old record with a threshold to determine if the telephone call is fraudulent. The system and method completes the telephone call if the step of comparing determines the telephone call is not fraudulent in response to the step of comparing. The present invention updates the old record with the information for the telephone call if the step of searching finds an old record of a prior occurrence of the telephone number and the telephone call is rejected by the telephone call recipient. The present invention creates a record of the telephone call if the telephone number is not found in the database, and the telephone call is rejected by the recipient.

Mechanism for a system and method for detecting fraudulent use of

A toll charge and rate inquiry service for portable numbers allows a telephone system user to access billing and toll telephone charge information prior to establishing a telephone call connection between the telephone system user and a called party. The telephone toll charge information is extracted from a portable telephone number logical matrix. A telephone system user using the toll charge and rate inquiry service for portable numbers can use the telephone toll charge information to determine prior to establishing a telephone call connection whether to complete the telephone call to the called party with a toll charge. Upon request, the user is automatically connected to the called party.

Method and system for toll charge and rate inquiry service for portable

Provided is a method and system for telecommunications language support. A telephone user is enabled to specify a language preference for telephone calls through an account language preference field or with telephone commands from a telephone. In accordance with the telephone user's language preference, operators and automated telephone services appropriately serve the telephone user in the appropriate language should the telephone user need assistance. Audible messages, which are played to a telephone user in the event of a connection error, are played according to the telephone user's language preference.

Method and system for telecommunications language support

A data management system is connected to a Signaling System 7 telecommunications network (SS#7). Network elements and other data sources of the SS#7 network provide alarm data to the management system when problems occur with the network. The data management system includes a database library that classifies the problem and provides prioritized resolutions, based on past historical events. The library continues to expand with data each time an alarm is resolved. Data from the network elements are also stored for generation of reports, such as those dealing with configuration, performance, faults, and security.

Data management system for a telecommunications signaling system 7(SS#7)

A system and method for selected audio response to a telephone call that results in an unsuccessful connection. If a condition within the set of conditions is satisfied based on attributes associated with the caller or the telephone call, an action list associated with the satisfied condition is executed. The action list can comprise a selected audio response that is transmitted to the caller of the unsuccessful connection.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Jingsha He