Mci Communications Corporation

Robert Frank Dickerman

George M Kult

Timothy E Darland

Patty Marie Bartels

Shawn Paul Furgason

Douglas P Reiman

Christopher P Tofanelli

Donald Alan Turner

Wayne M Cartee

An advanced intelligent network gateway that allows communication between telecommunications network component that use different protocols. In one embodiment, the advanced intelligent network gateway is used to communicate between a manual operator console that are processing a customer's telephone call and a service data point which is a database containing information needed to process the customer's telephone call. However, the advanced intelligent network gateway may also be used to receive and transmit messages between other telecommunications components. In addition, methods for protocol conversion are described. One method for protocol conversion is for the conversion of a transaction capabilities application part message from a user datagram protocol/internet protocol implementation to a transmission control protocol/internet protocol implementation or vice versa. Methods for receiving and transmitting transaction capabilities application part messages are also described.

Advanced intelligent network gateway

A system and method for providing operator and customer services for automated telecommunications services on an intelligent overlay network (,) is disclosed. Operator and customer services are provided by an intelligent network (,). The intelligent network (,) comprises an automated call distributor (,); an application processor (,); an advanced intelligent network gateway (AIN Gateway) (,); a validation gateway (,); and enhanced operator consoles (,). The AIN Gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to the intelligent overlay network. This allows components within the intelligent network to communicate with components in the intelligent overlay network, and vice-versa. The validation gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to credit card validation systems (,), and is used to apply charges to customer credit cards. Enhanced operator consoles provide for efficient and seamless integration of operator and customer services to automated services running on the intelligent overlay network. Such enhanced operator consoles are provided in the form of customized application programs that are executed by the operator consoles based on the context of calls that are transferred from the intelligent overlay network.

System and method for providing operator and customer services

Communication between telecommunications networks and computer systems used by financial institutions to allow processing customer requests to pay for telecommunication services with credit cards is described. In particular, communication that allows both real-time authorization and settlement of charges needed to bill the customer is explained. In addition, a system and method for protocol conversion between a client server protocol used by telecommunications networks and a packet switching network protocol used by financial institutions is provided. Client server protocols include protocols used by caller interaction processes such as UDP/IP. Packet switching network protocols include protocols used by financial processors such as X.25. The system method of the present invention may be used for communication between other networks and computer systems that use UDP/IP in X.25.

Validation gateway

A method and apparatus for providing operator consoles with enhanced customer support for automated telecommunication services on an intelligent overlay network (104) is disclosed. Operator and customer services are provided by an intelligent network (102). The intelligent network (102) comprises: an automated call distributor (116); an application processor (118); an advanced intelligent network gateway (AIN Gateway) (120); a validation gateway (122); and enhanced operator consoles (126). The AIN Gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to the intelligent overlay network. This allows components within the intelligent network to communicate with components in the intelligent overlay network, and vice-versa. The validation gateway provides the intelligent network with an interface to credit card validation systems (114), and is used to apply charges to customer credit cards. Enhanced operator consoles provide for efficient and seamless integration of operator and customer services to automated services running on the intelligent overlay network. Such enhanced operator consoles are provided in the form of customized application programs that are executed by the operator consoles based on the context of calls that are transferred from the intelligent overlay network.

Method and computer program logic for providing an intelligent network

A system and method for protocol translation. The system includes an SS7 Module for sending and receiving a plurality of incoming and outcoming SS7 queries and response. The system also includes an Inbound Subsystem Module, coupled to the SS7 Module, for translating the incoming SS7 queries from a SS7 protocol to a non-SS7 protocol. The translated incoming queries are forwarded to an end user while in the non-SS7 protocol. The Inbound Subsystem Module also translates any responses corresponding to the incoming SS7 queries from the non-SS7 protocol to the SS7 protocol. The system further includes an Outbound Subsystem Module, coupled to the SS7 Module, for translating outgoing SS7 queries from the non-SS7 protocol to the SS7 protocol. The translated outgoing queries are sent via the SS7 module across an SS7 network. The Outbound Subsystem Module also translates SS7 responses corresponding to the outgoing SS7 queries from the SS7 protocol to the non-SS7 protocol. The translated responses corresponding to the outgoing SS7 queries are forwarded to an end user while in the non-SS7 protocol.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Robert Frank Dickerman