U S West Technologies, Inc.

U S West Advanced Technologies, Inc.

Other

Qwest Communications International Inc.

U S West, Inc.

Mark S Blumhardt

Rajasekhar Ayala

Gregory Wilfred Bruening

Carleton A Smith

A system and method for automatically distributing communications to selected locations includes switching means which is provided in electrical communication with a calling party's CPE device and a plurality of secondary parties' CPE devices. As disclosed, the system may be adapted for use in both advanced intelligent networks (AIN) and non-AIN arrangements. Similarly, the switching means may be provisioned with automatic call distribution (ACD) architecture or, in specified AIN arrangements, with a Service Node or advanced functionality controlled by a properly interfaced service control point (SCP) or adjunct. In operation, the switching means parks incoming communication on queue while performing selected routing functions in an attempt to locate the secondary party if one of the plurality of selected communication addresses. In the preferred embodiment, the selected routing functions are performed in a predetermined sequence.

System and method for automatically distributing communications to selected locations

A system and method for registering a wireless telephone which is normally operative in its corresponding wireless telephone network to a selected wireline of the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) wherein upstream signaling takes place out-of-band. A base station in electrical communication with one or more selected PSTN wirelines detects when the wireless telephone comes within its registration range. A Set-Top Terminal (STT) in electrical communication with the base station and the broadband network provides the interface to send upstream signaling to the PSTN and the corresponding wireless telephone network through the broadband network. The STT coordinates the delivery of upstream signaling, sets up the physical connections between the PSTN and the STT for billing and other purposes and coordinates the delivery of the upstream signaling to other service providers, where applicable.

System and method for registering wireless telephones to selected wirelines of the public switched telephone network

Provided is an apparatus and method for routing communications in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having at least one central office switch. The disclosed system routes communications from a calling party having at least one Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each having a corresponding communication address. In operation, communications are routed to a central office switch which is provided in electrical communication with at least one adjunct processor. Thereafter, the desired type of secondary CPE device sought to be accessed is identified in cooperation with storage means which is provided in electrical communication with the adjunct processor. As disclosed, the storage means is provided for storing a directory having a plurality of secondary party calling numbers and corresponding communication addresses. Following identification of the type of secondary CPE device sought to be accessed, the corresponding secondary party communication address is identified and a control signal is forwarded to said central office switch such that the communication will be properly routed to the desired secondary party at the corresponding communication address.

Apparatus and method for routing communications to a variety of CPE

A system and method for purchasing, customizing and modifying switch-based and Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) telephone services through the Broadband Network. The system and method utilize a Graphical User Interface (GUI), a remote control and a Set Top Terminal (STT). The GUI is operative to access both Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and non-PSTN telephone services. The remote control is similarly operative to navigate the GUI. Finally, the STT, which is provided in electrical communication with the GUI and the Broadband Network is provided for receiving downloaded video for display to the subscriber on the GUI and sending upstream signaling to the Broadband Network. The Graphical User Interface leads the telephone services subscriber through configuration options and permits the subscriber to easily purchase, customize and modify selected telephone services without direct interaction with service provider personnel.

Service delivery using broadband

A method for recording subscriber specific messages in a telephone call for use in telephone services, particularly, for use in cooperation with an AIN Service Switching Point (SSP), an AIN Service Control Point (SCP) and an Intelligent Peripheral (IP). A CallInfoToResource message is generated at the AIN SCP for receipt by the SSP and the IP. The message instructs the SPP to establish a connection to the IP and further instructs the IP to record a subscriber message. The SSP generates a PRIFACILITY message which is directed for receipt by the IP and instructs the same to play an announcement and begin recording. Thereafter, an announcement is played at the IP which instructs the subscriber to begin speaking. The subscriber's message is recorded and a release message is generated at the SSP for receipt by the IP. The release message instructs the IP to tear down the call. A ResourceClear message is thereafter generated at the SSP for receipt by the SCP. The ResourceClear message indicates the status of the recording and an ID corresponding to the announcement to be used by the SCP in other services. A Disconnect message is thereafter generated at the SCP for receipt by the SSP. The Disconnect message instructs the SSP to tear down the call.

Method for recording subscriber specific messages in an advanced

A method and system directed for use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for detecting and processing calls from a calling party to a subscribing called party wherein the display of calling party ID information has been inhibited. The Advanced Intelligent Network includes at least one Service Switching Point (SSP) in electrical communication with a Service Control Point (SCP) or Adjunct Processor (AP) via an appropriate signaling link and having corresponding service logic. The system and method are operative to detect an AIN termination attempt trigger at the SSP, suspend normal call processing, and generate an AIN termination attempt message at the SSP for receipt by the SCP/AP requesting further call processing instructions. If it is determined that calling party ID information has been inhibited, a response message is generated at the SCP/AP for receipt by the SSP instructing the SSP to intercept the call, play a selected terminating announcement or request the calling party to display its ID information so as to perform further call processing.

Method and system for processing calls wherein the display of calling

A method and system is provided for use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for automatically accessing and invoking existing switch-based services without going off-hook. To be operative, the Advanced Intelligent Network must be equipped with O-called-party-busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality such as in AIN release 1.0 architecture and have at least one service node or suitable switch in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via a suitable signaling protocol such as Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) protocol. The switch or service node must be operative as the home switch or virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services. In operation, the signaling protocol is monitored to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services. Upon the detection of such predetermined triggers and line conditions, a first electrical signal corresponding thereto is generated for receipt by the service node SCP. Upon receipt, normal call processing is automatically suspended and call handling is transferred to the service node whereupon a second electrical signal is generated prompting the subscriber to select the associated switch-based service. If selected, by the entry of a Dual Tone MultiFrequency (DTMF) signal or other suitable response, the switch-based service will be automatically invoked without the user going off-hook.

Method and system for automatically accessing and invoking switch-based

A method and system for real time selection of an inter-exchange telephone carrier for a telephone call. The system includes a processing, storage and routing equipment capable of performing the method steps of generating a call information signal, storing a carrier rate for each of the plurality of carriers, each carrier rate including a toll, calling day and calling time, processing the call information signal and the carrier rates to select the carrier having the least expensive toll for the day and time the call is placed, and routing the call through the carrier selected.

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Niwot, CO, United States of America

Mark S Blumhardt